The massive Russian attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities was not only aimed at destroying the country's energy and other infrastructure, but also served as a political signal to Donald Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrated that he does not intend to abandon his maximalist demands regarding the end of the war and is ready to decide issues of war and peace by military force, rather than negotiations with the American leader.
After a phone call between Putin and Trump, Moscow refrained for a while from mass attacks, but following failed talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and with uncertainty in the White House about a possible meeting between Putin and Trump, the strikes resumed. The combined shelling of Kyiv and the resulting civilian casualties show Russia's willingness to continue the war with the goal of eliminating Ukrainian statehood and identity.
Putin’s goal is not control of Donbas or Ukrainian neutrality, but rather the destruction of Ukrainian identity and independence. Many Russian citizens support his actions, despite mobilization and economic hardship brought by the war.
Trump and the United States face a dilemma on how to respond to Russia’s consistent aggression. Effective support for Ukraine, particularly with modern air defense systems and weapons to target Russian military infrastructure, remains the only realistic answer to such attacks.
Putin’s efforts focus on destabilizing Ukrainian society, seeking to demoralize citizens and force the country toward capitulation. To contain Russia, Ukraine needs strong international support. The attacks on infrastructure emphasize the Kremlin’s main objective — to eliminate Ukrainian statehood and disregard the US position.
