Vladimir Putin appears unfazed by Donald Trump\u2019s first tangible break with Moscow \u2013 a sign, analysts and Kremlin insiders say, that the Russian leader had long anticipated a deterioration in relations from the apparent improvement at the beginning of Trump\u2019s second term.<\/p>\n
While Moscow views the souring of ties with Trump as regrettable \u2013 the US president dramatically shifted tone last week as he announced a deal to arm Ukraine<\/a> and threatened massive sanctions against Russia \u2013 sources say Putin was always going to prioritise the war. He remains confident that Russian forces are gaining ground and that Ukraine\u2019s resistance could soon unravel.<\/p>\n \u201cMoscow is disappointed and upset that it didn\u2019t work out with Trump,\u201d said a former high-ranking Kremlin official. \u201cBut whatever expectations Putin might have had for a good relationship with Trump, it was always going to come second to his maximalist goals in Ukraine. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is existential,\u201d the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, added.<\/p>\n The Russian president, who for months has gone out of his way to flatter Trump, has not yet commented on his threats, while the Kremlin and top officials have refrained from direct criticism. Behind the scenes, however, there was a mixture of frustration and acceptance.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Moscow, there had been hope and anticipation of forging a strong relationship with Trump,\u201d said Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent Russian political analyst. \u201cBut the baseline expectation in Russia has always been tougher US sanctions and a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine,\u201d Stanovaya added.<\/p>\n When Trump returned to the White House earlier this year, swiftly reviving efforts to mend ties with Moscow and repeating his campaign vow to resolve the Ukraine conflict in just 24 hours, it briefly seemed like a strategic opening for Putin. A dramatic Oval Office clash with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, only reinforced the sense that Washington\u2019s posture could be shifting.<\/p>\n Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump and JD Vance in the explosive Oval Office meeting that delighted Moscow. Photograph: ABACA\/REX\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n For the Kremlin, Trump\u2019s presidency has long represented a potential geopolitical shake-up: a chance to undermine Nato unity and sow doubt about the west\u2019s long-term commitment to Ukraine.<\/p>\n But the honeymoon appeared to end last week when Trump publicly aired his frustration over Putin\u2019s refusal to agree to a ceasefire. He followed up with a fresh military aid package for Ukraine \u2013 including helping Kyiv acquire Patriot air defence systems \u2013 and threatened massive sanctions against Russia and its trading partners unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trump seemed particularly aggrieved that his personal outreach to Putin \u2013 including six phone calls \u2013 had yielded nothing, a perceived personal slight for a leader known for his vanity.<\/p>\n \u201cI get home, I\u2019d say: \u2018First lady, I had the most wonderful talk with Vladimir. I think we\u2019re finished,\u2019\u201d Trump said. \u201cAnd then I\u2019d turn on the television, or she\u2019ll say to me one time: \u2018Well that\u2019s strange, because they just bombed a nursing home.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n