Is Putin Playing Trump on Ukraine Peace Talks or Just Himself?

As efforts to broker peace in the Russia-Ukraine war falter, questions are mounting over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin has outmaneuvered former U.S. President Donald Trump — or simply reinforced his own miscalculations. With Washington distancing itself from ceasefire negotiations, some analysts suggest that Putin may have used Trump to promote a Russian-friendly resolution to the conflict.

According to Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, a former deputy chief of Ukraine’s General Staff, the Kremlin successfully pushed its narrative through Trump, influencing how the U.S. viewed potential outcomes to the war. “Putin imposed his narratives on Trump,” Romanenko said, arguing that Moscow framed the peace plan in a way that favored its strategic interests.

Despite these alleged behind-the-scenes efforts, many experts believe Russia’s true intentions are to prolong the war. Recent military activity suggests that Moscow is preparing for extended conflict, rather than a diplomatic settlement. This aligns with Ukraine’s view that any so-called peace initiative may be little more than a delay tactic by the Kremlin.

Trump has previously voiced support for a fast resolution to the war, claiming he could end it “in 24 hours” if re-elected. Critics argue that such claims may be rooted in a misunderstanding of the conflict’s complexity—or in a willingness to accept terms more favorable to Moscow than to Kyiv.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has stepped back from immediate negotiations, warning that any resolution must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. With both sides dug in militarily and politically, the path to peace remains unclear.

Whether Putin is strategically manipulating the situation or misjudging his influence, one thing is evident: peace remains distant, and the war shows no signs of slowing.