Trump-Putin Call: Nothing but Empty Talk
Vladimir Putin flatters Donald Trump. That's what he does during the two-hour phone call, but Putin doesn’t budge an inch on the matter at hand.
Then all of a sudden, Russian President Vladimir Putin acts proactively. Immediately after the call with America's President Donald Trump, which the Russian state television refers to as “Negotiation No. 1,” the Kremlin leader hurries to address the press on Monday night. This is, after all, an unusual move for the 72-year-old warlord.
For over three years now, everything else has remained the same. Putin shows no flexibility. He considers a cease-fire with Ukraine possible “if the right agreements are reached.” This is his way of rejecting a cease-fire without actually saying “no.” He wants to prove to a domestic audience that he remains steadfast and refuses to bow to Trump's demands — even though he primarily seeks to flatter Trump with phrases like “Compromises must suit both sides” or “We are on the right path.”
And later, the Americans will report on an “excellent discussion” while claiming that Russia and Ukraine will begin cease-fire and end-of-war talks right away. Trump isn’t willing to put the Kremlin leader under pressure and continues to be strung along. He plays right into Putin’s hands and seems oblivious to it. Or perhaps he realizes and couldn't care less. And then, it’s right back to business.
Even before the White House statement, Putin's three-minute press briefing consisted of vague platitudes about “possibilities” and “ifs.” This “if” is crucial, even though it has remained unchanged for years. “Russia’s position is clear,” Putin says — as if dealing with it quickly on the side between all his other appointments. “The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis.” That is Russia's wording for the subjugation of Ukraine. To that end, Putin launched his “special operation,” which isn’t about engaging with Ukraine on equal footing. All of his actions indicate that.
With or without Trump, the Kremlin repeatedly insists that Moscow will achieve its goals no matter what. But Trump hears only flattery in its words, while Moscow dangles “pasta on his ears” — a Russian saying for someone who is being misled — and simply carries on as before.
Then all of a sudden, Russian President Vladimir Putin acts proactively. Immediately after the call with America's President Donald Trump, which the Russian state television refers to as “Negotiation No. 1,” the Kremlin leader hurries to address the press on Monday night. This is, after all, an unusual move for the 72-year-old warlord.
For over three years now, everything else has remained the same. Putin shows no flexibility. He considers a cease-fire with Ukraine possible “if the right agreements are reached.” This is his way of rejecting a cease-fire without actually saying “no.” He wants to prove to a domestic audience that he remains steadfast and refuses to bow to Trump's demands — even though he primarily seeks to flatter Trump with phrases like “Compromises must suit both sides” or “We are on the right path.”
And later, the Americans will report on an “excellent discussion” while claiming that Russia and Ukraine will begin cease-fire and end-of-war talks right away. Trump isn’t willing to put the Kremlin leader under pressure and continues to be strung along. He plays right into Putin’s hands and seems oblivious to it. Or perhaps he realizes and couldn't care less. And then, it’s right back to business.
Even before the White House statement, Putin's three-minute press briefing consisted of vague platitudes about “possibilities” and “ifs.” This “if” is crucial, even though it has remained unchanged for years. “Russia’s position is clear,” Putin says — as if dealing with it quickly on the side between all his other appointments. “The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis.” That is Russia's wording for the subjugation of Ukraine. To that end, Putin launched his “special operation,” which isn’t about engaging with Ukraine on equal footing. All of his actions indicate that.
With or without Trump, the Kremlin repeatedly insists that Moscow will achieve its goals no matter what. But Trump hears only flattery in its words, while Moscow dangles “pasta on his ears” — a Russian saying for someone who is being misled — and simply carries on as before.
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