Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again proven his mastery of manipulation, using a calculated move with Donald Trump to strengthen Russia’s position while giving up virtually nothing in return. In a phone call that was supposed to advance peace efforts in Ukraine, Putin instead showcased his dominance, forcing Trump into a position of weakness and extracting key concessions that serve Moscow’s interests.
From the very start, Putin set the stage for control. Trump was reportedly made to wait over an hour before Putin took his call—an intentional power play reminiscent of previous humiliations dealt to Trump’s representatives, such as special envoy Steve Witkoff, who was kept waiting for eight hours before meeting the Russian leader. These tactics send a clear message: Putin dictates the terms, both to Trump and to his domestic audience.
When the call finally commenced, Putin wasted no time in steering the conversation to his advantage. While Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had pushed for a broad ceasefire, Putin offered only a vague, limited pause in attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—a far cry from what the U.S. had likely envisioned. Even this minor concession came with ambiguity, allowing Russia to interpret it as narrowly as possible while keeping its military campaign in full swing.
Putin’s tactical brilliance lies in offering just enough to keep Trump engaged without compromising Russia’s military objectives. Despite mounting casualties and crippling economic costs, Putin has remained steadfast in his territorial ambitions, leveraging Ukraine’s manpower shortages and Trump’s reluctance to provide military aid to tilt the balance further in Russia’s favor.
The Kremlin’s post-call statement made Russia’s expectations clear: peace talks, according to Moscow, would require an end to Western military and intelligence support for Ukraine. This aligns with Trump’s previous signals that he would slow weapons shipments and reduce intelligence-sharing—a move that would directly benefit Putin’s war efforts.
Putin has already secured a series of strategic wins from this engagement. First, he managed to initiate direct talks with Trump without Ukraine at the table, undermining Kyiv’s agency in the war. Second, he has all but crushed Ukraine’s hopes for NATO membership, weakening its long-term security outlook. And third, he has shifted the conversation to potential territorial concessions, subtly normalizing the idea of Russia holding onto occupied Ukrainian land.
For Putin, these victories are not just symbolic—they are steps toward achieving his ultimate goal of reasserting Russian dominance over Ukraine. The Kremlin’s ongoing legal integration of annexed territories signals its intent to cement these territorial gains as permanent. While Trump may see this limited engagement as a diplomatic breakthrough, Putin is likely playing the long game, knowing that continued U.S. hesitation only strengthens Russia’s position.
As expected, Zelensky responded cautiously to the Trump-Putin discussion. Aware of Trump’s unpredictable nature, he welcomed the limited ceasefire but reinforced that Ukraine’s core demands—sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security guarantees—remain non-negotiable. However, with each passing day, Kyiv’s leverage appears to be slipping, placing Zelensky in an increasingly precarious position.
By leveraging Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy, Putin has positioned himself as the ultimate dealmaker. If Trump sees this limited agreement as a diplomatic success, it will only embolden the Kremlin to push for even more favorable terms in the future. With the war dragging on, one question looms large: will the U.S. recognize Putin’s manipulations for what they are, or will it continue playing into his hands? So far, the Russian leader is betting on the latter—and history suggests he may be right.
