Rhetoric Softened: Is the Kremlin Ready for Potential Talks with Trump?

The Rhetoric Has Softened: Is the Kremlin Ready for Potential Negotiations with Trump? Angela Figin

After Donald Trump's election victory, talk of negotiations with the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine reached a new level. In particular, the US President-elect stated that a meeting with Vladimir Putin is already being prepared, but did not name any dates.

In a conversation with Channel 24, Russian opposition writer, publicist, and public figure Rostislav Murzagulov assessed Moscow's readiness for potential negotiations with Trump. Note that ISW analysts believe that no negotiations will ensure sustainable peace as long as Putin insists on his demands.

Why the Kremlin is changing its position on the meeting with Trump

The rhetoric coming from Russia regarding possible negotiations with the United States has softened significantly, a Russian opposition writer is convinced. In his opinion, both sides need this meeting.

Literally two weeks ago, the Russian side, in its usual style, said that there was nothing to consider. However, now the Kremlin is saying between the lines: “Yes, we are ready. We need negotiations, we are running out of strength,” Murzagulov said.

He noted an important nuance in the change in Russia's position – Putin is approaching the 80th anniversary of the “great victory” in World War II. Over the past 10 years, the dictator has increased the degree of “victory madness” in Russia to the level of hysteria.

Just imagine, 80 years of victory and no one will come to the parade again, except for Alexander Lukashenko. And most importantly, Putin climbs onto the Mausoleum tribune, but he has nothing to say, – added the Russian opposition writer.

Therefore, of course, the Kremlin needs to agree on something with Kiev and Washington before May 9. Taking this into account, Murzagulov concluded that now Putin is interested in negotiations even more than Vladimir Zelensky. Putin needs a ceasefire right now so that he can wrap everything up in a “golden wrapper” before May 9.

By the way, the day before, Sky News suggested that a full-scale war in Ukraine could end in 2025 by freezing it through negotiations. Most likely, Moscow has already set a clear date – May 9.

However, in reality, the publicist believes that this truce is not beneficial for Putin, because it is a forced step for him. Of course, he would have continued fighting if he had something to fight with.

Many people say that Russia will supposedly regroup and gather new strength, but this will not happen. The West will fundamentally arm Ukraine much more strongly. In addition, the level of support for the war in Russia today is zero and, if it were not for the insane payments that are constantly increasing for the “mogilized” and contract soldiers, then the wind would have blown on the front from Russia a long time ago, Murzagulov emphasized.

Recall that on January 9, Donald Trump announced that his meeting with Vladimir Putin was being prepared. However, in Ukraine there is concern that a quick deal with Putin could cost too much.