19 May , 11:58
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Putin confident in full control over four Ukrainian regions by the end of 2025
This is reported by the influential publication Bloomberg, citing sources in the Russian leadership's inner circle.
According to the publication, the Russian president's position significantly strengthens his negotiating stance ahead of an important phone call with US President Donald Trump. Analysts emphasize that under current circumstances, Putin is unlikely to make significant compromises in dialogue with the American side.
"The Kremlin believes it has a 'strong hand' in this geopolitical game," Bloomberg notes, citing a person familiar with the Russian president's position. This refers to the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
European leaders express serious concern that the White House chief may try to impose a conflict settlement on Moscow's terms. Last Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with D.Trump, trying to convey to him that "Putin is leading him by the nose." According to a high-ranking European official, they hope the American leader will recognize the risks of imposing an unfavorable deal on Kyiv.
The American leader, who returned to the White House after winning the election, has repeatedly stated his intention to quickly end the conflict in Ukraine. He supported the idea of direct dialogue with V.Putin to conclude some kind of "deal." However, as Bloomberg notes, the Russian president shows no willingness to end military operations on terms acceptable to the West and Kyiv.
Two other sources close to the Kremlin claim that despite public rhetoric about a possible cessation of hostilities, the Russian president is prepared for a protracted war if necessary to achieve his strategic goals. Moreover, he optimistically assesses his ability to withstand further US sanctions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also participated in Friday's phone call with D.Trump and European leaders, was counting on the introduction of new sanctions against Russia for violating the ceasefire announced on May 12. However, as the publication notes, this never happened, causing additional concern in Kyiv.
