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US President Donald Trump said that, despite the Kremlin’s claims, the ceasefire proposal in Ukraine had called Putin’s bluff. Now Moscow faces a difficult choice: to agree to the terms of the temporary truce or to be put under even more pressure.
This was reported by CNN.
Moscow is silent, but decisions need to be made
After Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire, the Kremlin came under pressure. In his daily briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov avoided commenting, saying that Moscow was still waiting for official information from the US on the results of the Jeddah talks.
“Rubio and Walz said they would provide us with full information through diplomatic channels. We are waiting for this information,” Peskov said.
This means that the Kremlin is avoiding a direct answer and trying to buy time, although this may be the moment of truth for Moscow.
Putin between two realities: desire for peace and fear of “betrayal”
The Kremlin has long stated that it is ready for negotiations, but has not agreed to any concessions, demanding to consolidate control over the annexed territories.
However, according to CNN, the situation is becoming difficult for Moscow.
- Russian society is tired of the war and the economic downturn, which has been exacerbated by sanctions.
- Supporters of the war inside the Kremlin see the ceasefire as a defeat.
- The Ukrainian army is still in the Kursk region, making it difficult for Moscow to dictate terms.
Last week, Vladimir Putin told a crowd of supporters that Moscow would “never surrender”, but that reality may force him to compromise.
Trump-Putin Relations: Game Over?
In recent weeks, the Kremlin has been closely watching the US change its policy towards Russia. Washington and Moscow have even started talks on restoring economic and diplomatic ties.
According to CNN, the CIA and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service signed an agreement to reduce confrontation, and Sergei Lavrov unexpectedly praised the new US policy.
But now Trump is demanding that we play by the rules. He has made it clear that Moscow will no longer be able to avoid responsibility under the guise of propaganda.
What’s next?
Chief US diplomat Marco Rubio said that “the ball is now in Moscow’s court”. The US expects the Kremlin to make a decision on the truce in the near future.
More recently, Trump said that “Russia holds all the cards”, but after the Jeddah talks, Putin’s bluff became obvious.
Will the Kremlin dare to ignore the American initiative, risking destroying the new agreements with Trump? The answer to this question will determine the future of the war.