President Donald Trump expressed his desire for a quick cease-fire in Ukraine. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin does not seem to be in a hurry to end the conflict. The recent disagreement between Trump and Ukraine’s president may provide Putin with the ammunition he needs to prolong the fight. The Kremlin has been using propaganda to portray Ukraine’s president as a reckless leader who will exhaust the patience of Western supporters.

Trump’s remarks suggesting a cease-fire without Ukrainian agreement could result in the outcome Putin has long desired. Experts warn that this could intensify and prolong the war. Some believe that Putin could seize more Ukrainian territory and gain more leverage in future negotiations. This possibility has raised concerns about the consequences of reduced U.S. military support for Ukraine. There is a fear that Putin may return to broader territorial ambitions.

Moscow is likely to benefit from any delay in peace talks, as no current deal could satisfy Putin. The situation may also have contributed to Putin’s long-standing goal of removing Ukraine’s president and dividing the Western alliance led by Washington. Russian officials are expressing their delight, with some denouncing the Ukrainian president as an insolent pig. The meeting between Trump and Ukraine’s president has not provided a clear pathway toward a settlement. The prospects of ending the war on Putin’s terms are still unclear.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/world/europe/trump-zelensky-putin.html