The Russian Position on Ukraine: Military Stiffness and Diplomatic Flexibility at the Same Time
September 30, 20251707 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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In a development worth pondering, the international arena is witnessing a war of statements between Moscow and Washington regarding the future of the conflict in Ukraine, where the Kremlin has firmly declared that Kyiv is unable to regain the territories controlled by the Russian army, despite contrary American assurances.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who began his term with a stance close to Moscow, seems to have significantly changed his course when he described Russia as a "paper tiger" and asserted that Ukraine is capable not only of regaining its territories but "perhaps going further than that." This shift in American rhetoric has not gone unnoticed, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that "the idea that Ukraine can regain something is wrong from our point of view."
Behind these statements, important field realities emerge. Russia still occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory and insists on its demands to end Kyiv's request to join NATO and to recognize the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. For its part, Ukraine rejects these conditions and demands the deployment of European peacekeeping forces.
Despite Russian assurances of "economic stability," the massive military spending has begun to show its effects on the Russian budget, with the Ministry of Finance proposing an increase in the value-added tax to compensate for the deficit. In contrast, Ukraine continues its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
Negotiations seem to be at a deadlock, with Putin ruling out a meeting with Zelensky, and Peskov acknowledging that the results of rapprochement with Washington are "virtually non-existent." At the same time, Trump, despite changing his tone, has yet to outline a clear strategy for dealing with the crisis, wishing only "good luck to everyone."
Recent developments have sparked varied reactions, with Germany expressing hope that Trump's new stance will increase pressure on Russia, while Ukrainians have expressed caution about this sudden shift, pointing to the fluctuations in Trump's previous positions.
It seems that the conflict in Ukraine is entering a new phase, with escalating rhetoric between the major powers, while suffering on the ground continues without a clear prospect for resolution. The biggest challenge remains how to translate these statements into practical actions that put an end to the longest war in Europe since World War II.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who began his term with a stance close to Moscow, seems to have significantly changed his course when he described Russia as a "paper tiger" and asserted that Ukraine is capable not only of regaining its territories but "perhaps going further than that." This shift in American rhetoric has not gone unnoticed, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that "the idea that Ukraine can regain something is wrong from our point of view."
Behind these statements, important field realities emerge. Russia still occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory and insists on its demands to end Kyiv's request to join NATO and to recognize the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. For its part, Ukraine rejects these conditions and demands the deployment of European peacekeeping forces.
Despite Russian assurances of "economic stability," the massive military spending has begun to show its effects on the Russian budget, with the Ministry of Finance proposing an increase in the value-added tax to compensate for the deficit. In contrast, Ukraine continues its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
Negotiations seem to be at a deadlock, with Putin ruling out a meeting with Zelensky, and Peskov acknowledging that the results of rapprochement with Washington are "virtually non-existent." At the same time, Trump, despite changing his tone, has yet to outline a clear strategy for dealing with the crisis, wishing only "good luck to everyone."
Recent developments have sparked varied reactions, with Germany expressing hope that Trump's new stance will increase pressure on Russia, while Ukrainians have expressed caution about this sudden shift, pointing to the fluctuations in Trump's previous positions.
It seems that the conflict in Ukraine is entering a new phase, with escalating rhetoric between the major powers, while suffering on the ground continues without a clear prospect for resolution. The biggest challenge remains how to translate these statements into practical actions that put an end to the longest war in Europe since World War II.
