US President Donald Trump admits he overestimated his influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin and misjudged Putin's desire for peace, according to US media citing sources close to Trump.
Trump believed that Putin truly wanted a peaceful deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He drew such conclusions after his summit with Putin in Anchorage, despite the lack of actual signs of Moscow's willingness for peace.
The situation shifted as Russia intensified attacks against Ukraine, conducted large-scale bombings, and started a drone war against Europe. According to Vitaliy Portnev, Trump can no longer confidently claim Putin seeks peace.
Portnev recalls that, at the start of his presidency, Trump believed a simple phone call with Putin could end the war. However, now Russia is unwilling to make concessions and is using the situation to strengthen its and China's influence.
Trump faces a dilemma: his real tools of influence are limited, even with American and EU sanctions. Countries like China and India continue economic ties with Russia, ignoring Western appeals.
Portnev adds that for US ultraconservative groups supporting Trump, maintaining Putin's regime is as necessary as keeping Trump in office. Their lack of enthusiasm for helping Ukraine stems from ideological reasons.
The expert concludes the situation is risky for the US: its limited leverage with Russia and China's growing activity reduce Washington's geopolitical weight. Trump remains constrained by his political supporters and is unwilling to change his approach to resolving the war.
