According to Reuters, the Kremlin remains adamant towards the demands of the US President, who announced that if a peace agreement is not concluded by Friday, then new economic restrictions await Russia.
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Putin may refuse Trump. It's about an attack on Ukraine
Reuters sources, however, point out that Putin does not believe that sanctions can significantly harm the Russian economy, and the key goal remains full control over four occupied Ukrainian circuits.
According to Reuters, The Russian president believes that the war runs his thoughts, and the end of armed operations only under Trump's pressure would be unacceptable, both for Russian society and for the army. The general staff of the Russian Federation is to be convinced that the front line on the Ukrainian side will break down in the next two or three months.
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Despite the tense relationships with the West, Putin has – according to one of the interlocutors – to still believe in the possibility of future economic cooperation with the USA and Europe. The agency also quotes sources according to which the Russian leader “does not want to provoke Trump”, although he realizes that this may cross the chances of rebuilding relationships with the West.
Dialogue attempts and rejected US offer
Reuters informs that Recent contacts between representatives of Russia and Ukraine were purely image They were supposed to convince Trump that Putin was not rejecting the possibility of agreement. In addition to the issue of exchanging prisoners, these conversations were to be devoid of real findings.
One of the sources also revealed that In March, Moscow rejected Washington's proposal assuming a suspension of weapons in exchange for the abolition of sanctions and recognition of Russian control over Crimea and occupied areas. Although she was described as a “fantastic opportunity”, it was also indicated that the end of the war is much more difficult than its beginning.
Trump's sanctions? “Painful but not catastrophic”
The Kremlin is convinced that any sanctions will be severe, but they do not pose an existential threat to Russia. The authorities in Moscow also remain skeptical about Trump's announcement – as one of the sources notes, “he had already threatened and later changed his mind or withdrew from the actions.”
The agency also emphasizes that, according to the Kremlin, the script in which China will cease to import Russian oil – which could be one of the more serious economic blows.
Meanwhile, a special US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is to go to Moscow, although – as Reuters points out – The White House does not put great hopes in this visit. Trump's ultimatum expires on Friday, 10 days after its announcement on July 29.
