Putin might ultimately achieve his objectives in Ukraine.

 

The Russian president is nearing the point of establishing a firm boundary in Eastern Europe that the West will be compelled to acknowledge.

What Putin Fears Most | Journal of Democracy

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Following an extended phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump—coming shortly after U.S.-Ukrainian talks in Jeddah last week—the war in Ukraine appears to be approaching its final stages.

Both Moscow and Kyiv seem to align with Trump’s push for a peace settlement, though the specifics of their respective positions remain unclear.

Here’s a clearer and more concise rewrite:

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Ceasefire Agreement Reached
Kyiv has accepted Washington’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, followed by peace talks. While Ukraine initially opposed freezing the conflict before negotiations, the risk of further territorial losses, infrastructure damage, casualties, and dwindling U.S. support prompted its agreement.

Russia has also agreed to suspend missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days while continuing discussions toward a comprehensive ceasefire. Moscow, however, has voiced concerns about implementation logistics, enforcement guarantees, and post-ceasefire arrangements.

The caution stems from Russia’s battlefield advantage, which it is reluctant to forfeit before a settlement framework is firmly established. Regardless, Russian officials expressed optimism about a potential resolution following the Trump-Putin call.

If ceasefire negotiations progress, the key question is whether Putin will ultimately secure everything he sought when launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

By now, all parties have a clear understanding of the general framework for a realistically achievable peace settlement. Moscow has consistently emphasized that any agreement should follow the structure of the Istanbul negotiations, which were developed by Russian and Ukrainian delegations in the spring of 2022 but were later abandoned under British and American influence.........

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