Limited Gains from Trump-Putin Call Leave Ukraine Crisis Unresolved

Donald Trump's conversation with Vladimir Putin yielded limited progress regarding the Ukraine conflict, with the Russian leader agreeing to pause assaults on energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, the absence of a comprehensive ceasefire suggests ongoing struggles for peace in the region.

In the lead-up to today's significant phone call with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump appears to have touted his conversation as a milestone. However, the outcomes indicate scant reason for celebration. Putin has given Trump just enough content to insinuate a step towards peace in Ukraine, carefully avoiding the impression that the Kremlin has outmaneuvered the US leader.

Trump can highlight Putin's commitment to a 30-day cessation of attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, which could provide some reprieve for civilians. Yet, this is far from the unconditional ceasefire the US has sought from Russia. The "very horrible war" Trump has stated he could halt continues unabated, with further evidence of Putin’s controversial status as an alleged war criminal resurfacing amid rising global tensions.

Reports suggest that the phone call between the two leaders extended for over two hours, with a Kremlin summary notably lengthy at 500 words. This narrative portrays a lighthearted discussion, including mentions of ice hockey, likely meant to resonate with a Russian audience starved for positive diplomatic news.

Following three years of estrangement and deteriorating relations before then, Russia seems poised once again to engage directly with a US administration open to dialogue. The two discussions encompassed broader topics, including peace in the Middle East and global security, which the Kremlin is likely relishing.

Leading up to the call, speculations circulated regarding Trump's potential to exert pressure on Russia during negotiations. However, there was no indication of a stern rebuke akin to the severe reprimand meted out to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky just weeks prior in the Oval Office.

Both nations' accounts post-discussion appear unchanged and reaffirm Russia’s rhetoric of a desire for peace. Instead of a firm commitment to cease military actions, the Kremlin is engaging in debates over conditions that could impede Kyiv's defenses, namely, a demand for cessation of arms and intelligence support from Ukraine's allies.

For Ukrainians, a glimmer of hope lies in the fact that the US did not acquiesce to these terms this time. However, the ongoing negotiations serve only as a stark reminder of Russia’s unwillingness to end its invasion, leaving Ukraine grappling with confirmed turmoil and minimal immediate relief.

The expectations from US diplomatic efforts seem to have faltered, yet this might nourish a potential sense of triumph in the Kremlin’s narrative, marking a shift that many thought impossible before Trump's return to the White House.