Latest news with #TheReturnofRussia
MTV Lebanon
5 days ago
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
Putin Doubts Potency of Trump's Ultimatum to End the War
Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum expiring this Friday from U.S. President Donald Trump, and retains the goal of capturing four regions of Ukraine in their entirety, sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters. Trump has threatened to hit Russia with new sanctions and impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy its oil - of which the biggest are China and India - unless Putin agrees to a ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine. Putin's determination to keep going is prompted by his belief that Russia is winning and by scepticism that yet more U.S. sanctions will have much of an impact after successive waves of economic penalties during 3-1/2 years of war, according to three sources familiar with discussions in the Kremlin. The Russian leader does not want to anger Trump, and he realises that he may be spurning a chance to improve relations with Washington and the West, but his war goals take precedence, two of the sources said. Putin's goal is to fully capture the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which Russia has claimed as its own, and then to talk about a peace agreement, one of the sources said. "If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions which he has claimed for Russia he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives," said James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book "The Return of Russia". The current talks process, in which Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have met three times since May, was an attempt by Moscow to convince Trump that Putin was not rejecting peace, the first source said, adding that the talks were devoid of real substance apart from discussions on humanitarian exchanges. Russia says it is serious about agreeing a long-term peace in the negotiations but that the process is complicated because the two sides' stances are so far apart. Putin last week described the talks as positive. Moscow's stated demands include a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the four regions and acceptance by Kyiv of neutral status and limits on the size of its military – demands rejected by Ukraine. In a sign that there may yet be an opportunity to strike a deal before the deadline, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia this week, following an escalation in rhetoric between Trump and Moscow over risks of nuclear war. On Monday, Russia said it was no longer bound by a moratorium on short- and medium-range nuclear missiles. The Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment for this story. All the sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Trump, who in the past has praised Putin and held out the prospect of lucrative business deals between their two countries, has lately expressed growing impatience with the Russian president. He has complained about what he called Putin's "bullshit" and described Russia's relentless bombing of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as "disgusting". The Kremlin has said it noted Trump's statements but it has declined to respond to them. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko last week called on the world to respond with "maximum pressure" after the worst Russian air strike of the year killed 31 people in Kyiv, including five children, in what she called Russia's response to Trump's deadline. "President Trump wants to stop the killing, which is why he is selling American-made weapons to NATO members and threatening Putin with biting tariffs and sanctions if he does not agree to a ceasefire," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in response to a request for comment.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US envoy in Russia: Putin meets Trump envoy but rejects US pressure; 'President unmoved by Trump's war ultimatum, doubts its potency,' says Kremlin insiders
Trump envoy Witkoff meets Putin ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace deadline (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled deep scepticism over US President Donald Trump's looming ultimatum to halt the war in Ukraine, even as the Kremlin hosted Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in a high-stakes diplomatic meeting on Wednesday, just two days before a Friday deadline for fresh US sanctions to take effect. According to an exclusive Reuters report citing multiple sources close to the Kremlin, Putin remains steadfast in his military objectives — chiefly the complete capture of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — and believes Russia is gaining ground. Despite Trump's threats to hit Moscow with punitive sanctions and extend 100 percent tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, including China and India, the Russian leader is unlikely to change course. 'If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions which he has claimed for Russia, he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives,' said James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book The Return of Russia. Putin holds firm as envoy visits Moscow Video footage released by the Kremlin on Wednesday showed Putin shaking hands with Witkoff in the Kremlin. However, no additional details were disclosed, and Russian officials have declined to comment on the substance of the meeting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Become Fluent in Any Language Talkpal AI Undo Trump, who has repeatedly declared he could end the war within 24 hours of assuming office, said earlier this week that he would await the outcome of the Witkoff meeting before deciding whether to implement new economic measures. "We're going to see what happens," Trump told reporters Tuesday. "We'll make that determination at that time." Despite this cautious language, US and allied officials expect an escalation unless a ceasefire or demonstrable progress is achieved before the Friday deadline. Moscow's continued drone and missile attacks — which recently reached a record high — and the sluggish pace of peace talks have complicated prospects. The three rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks held in Istanbul since May have yielded no breakthrough. According to Reuters sources, Moscow's participation in these talks is more about optics than substance, intended to show Washington that Putin is not entirely rejecting peace — even as his military continues advancing. 'The talks are devoid of real substance apart from discussions on humanitarian exchanges,' one Kremlin source told Reuters. Kremlin doubts impact of US sanctions Sources told Reuters that Putin remains largely unimpressed by Trump's threats. Having withstood multiple waves of sanctions since the war began more than three years ago, the Russian president reportedly views new penalties as unlikely to inflict decisive damage. 'He is worried about Trump's irritation,' one insider said. 'But with the Russian army advancing and the public still largely supportive, he cannot afford to end the war just because Trump wants it.' Another Kremlin adviser said that while the threat of new sanctions is 'painful and unpleasant,' it is 'not a catastrophe.' The broader mood in Moscow, according to sources, is one of scepticism toward Washington's leverage. 'He's made threats before,' said one source. 'Sometimes he doesn't follow through. Sometimes he changes his mind.' Russia brushes off 'illegitimate' tariff threats On Tuesday, the Kremlin publicly dismissed US threats to raise tariffs on countries trading with Russia as 'illegitimate.' Trump has previously warned of secondary sanctions and tariffs targeting nations like India and China, which continue to import Russian oil. However, it remains unclear whether these countries would comply with such measures. One Reuters source close to the Kremlin questioned whether China would halt oil purchases simply 'on instructions from Trump,' warning that such actions could backfire by pushing oil prices higher globally. Despite sanctions, Russia's war economy has shown resilience. Imports from China, including dual-use goods, and munitions from North Korea have allowed Moscow to sustain a high rate of weapons production. Russia's central bank reserves remain partially frozen, with $300 billion stuck in foreign jurisdictions, and foreign direct investment has collapsed. But Putin's war machine continues to operate largely unimpeded. Trump himself acknowledged this reality over the weekend. 'They're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens,' he said when asked about Moscow's evasive tactics. Kyiv urges more pressure as battlefield escalates Ukraine, meanwhile, has urged the US and its allies to maximise pressure on Russia ahead of Friday's deadline. 'It is very important to strengthen all the levers in the arsenal of the United States, Europe, and the G7 so that a ceasefire truly comes into effect immediately,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media Wednesday, shortly after Witkoff arrived in Moscow. Zelensky has also appealed to Washington for more robust military aid and even floated the idea of 'regime change' in Moscow as a long-term solution to ending the war. Recent data underscores Ukraine's worsening position. According to Black Bird Group, a Finland-based military analysis centre, Kyiv has lost 502 square kilometres of territory in July alone — the largest monthly loss in 2025 so far. Russia now occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. The Russian General Staff reportedly told Putin that the Ukrainian front could collapse within two to three months if current momentum continues. Still, a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in June noted that Russia's overall territorial gains in the past 18 months amount to less than 1 percent of Ukraine's territory — suggesting that battlefield advances remain slow and costly. Nuclear rhetoric heightens tensions Amid the rising pressure, nuclear posturing has returned to the forefront of US-Russia tensions. On Monday, Trump revealed that two US nuclear submarines had been deployed 'in the region,' following a heated online exchange with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump did not clarify whether the submarines were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, or where exactly they were sent. In response, Russia announced that it was abandoning its self-imposed moratorium on deploying nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles, citing alleged US deployments near its borders. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the meeting with Witkoff was 'important, substantial and helpful' and welcomed continued American engagement to end the conflict. However, Russian officials remain deeply wary of what they see as US interference aimed at bolstering Ukraine. Missed opportunities and a war with no end in sight One Reuters source revealed that Washington had made a peace offer to Moscow in March: a full lifting of sanctions, recognition of Russian control over Crimea, and tacit acceptance of territories gained since 2022 — if Putin agreed to a full ceasefire. The source described the offer as a 'fantastic chance,' but said Putin felt constrained by military and political calculations. 'Stopping a war is much more difficult than starting it,' the source noted. Trump's frustration has become increasingly apparent. Once a vocal admirer of Putin, the President has now described Russia's bombings of Ukrainian cities as 'disgusting' and dismissed Putin's conduct as 'bullshit.' The White House confirmed Trump's shift in tone. 'President Trump wants to stop the killing, which is why he is selling American-made weapons to NATO members and threatening Putin with biting tariffs and sanctions if he does not agree to a ceasefire,' said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported more bloodshed on Wednesday, with two civilians killed and 10 injured in a Russian missile strike on a holiday camp in the southern Zaporizhzhia region — an area Putin has vowed to seize fully. No end in sight, just shifting red lines For now, the Kremlin's message is clear: Putin does not intend to back down before Friday's deadline. With battlefield dynamics still in his favour and his territorial goals far from complete, the Russian leader sees Trump's pressure as another geopolitical hurdle, not a game-changer. The meeting with Witkoff may buy time, but it has not changed the core calculus in Moscow. If anything, Putin's war objectives — full control over the four eastern and southern regions of Ukraine — have only become more entrenched. 'He simply has a top priority — Putin cannot afford to end the war just because Trump wants it,' said one Russian source quoted by Reuters. As the world watches, Friday's deadline could either become a pivotal diplomatic milestone or just another moment in a long and bloody war with no clear end.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Putin won't be deterred by Trump's tariff threat, will continue Ukraine war until goals are achieved: Report
Despite the threat of further sanctions from Trump, Moscow's leadership appears unfazed, with one Kremlin source noting, 'there's not much more that they can do to us.' read more US President Donald Trump's sanction ultimatum for Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to deter him from chasing his ambition to capture the four besieged regions of Ukraine in their entirety, Reuters reported Tuesday (August 5), citing sources in the Kremlin. Trump over the past weeks has promised more sanctions on Russia, with thousands of them already in place; and threatened to impose tariffs on Moscow's top trading partners, especially India and China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US president earlier this week imposed a 25 per cent tariff on India, accusing it of 'funding Putin's war machine in Ukraine'. Why is Putin resisting Trump's threats? Vladimir Putin's resolve to continue the war is driven by a belief that Russia is gaining the upper hand on the battlefield. There is also this conviction that additional US sanctions will do little to alter the course of the conflict. According to three sources familiar with Kremlin discussions, Putin's resolve has been hardened by the limited impact of successive economic penalties imposed over the past three and a half years of war. Despite the threat of further sanctions from Trump, Moscow's leadership appears unfazed, with one source noting, 'there's not much more that they can do to us.' Putin's objectives Putin's primary objective is clear: to seize full control of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which Russia has claimed as its own. Only after achieving this goal would Putin consider negotiating a peace agreement, one of the sources explained. James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book, The Return of Russia, was quoted by Reuters as saying, 'If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions which he has claimed for Russia he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives.' While Putin is cautious about antagonising Trump, recognising the potential to improve ties with Washington and the West, his war aims take precedence, according to two of the sources. Recent talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, which have occurred three times since May, appear to be a calculated move by Moscow to signal to Trump that Putin is not outright dismissing peace efforts. However, these discussions have lacked substance beyond humanitarian exchanges, the first source revealed. Russia insists it is committed to securing a lasting peace through negotiations, but the process is fraught with challenges due to the stark differences between the two sides. Moscow's demands include a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the four contested regions, as well as Kyiv's acceptance of neutral status and restrictions on its military capabilities—conditions Ukraine has firmly rejected. Despite these obstacles, Putin described the talks as 'positive' last week, suggesting a willingness to keep the dialogue alive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a potential sign of progress, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is visiting Russia today amid heightened tensions and warnings from both sides about the risks of nuclear escalation. The visit follows Trump's threat of new sanctions, which one source described as 'painful and unpleasant' but not catastrophic. Another source expressed scepticism about Trump's follow-through, noting that 'he's made threats before' without acting on them or later reversing course. Kremlin downplays Trump's threats The Kremlin's confidence to keep the war alive stems partly from Russia's ability to weather previous sanctions. Despite significant blows to its economy—Russian oil and gas revenues have plummeted, foreign direct investment dropped by 63 per cent last year according to UN trade data, and roughly $300 billion in central bank assets remain frozen abroad—Russia's war machine has not been significantly hampered. Support from North Korea's ammunition supplies and China's provision of dual-use components have fueled a surge in Russian weapons production. The Kremlin has frequently boasted of its 'immunity' to sanctions, a sentiment echoed by Trump himself, who acknowledged Russia's adeptness at evading restrictions. 'They're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens,' Trump told reporters over the weekend when asked about his response if Russia refuses a ceasefire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The third source also raised doubts about Trump's ability to enforce his threats, particularly regarding Russian oil exports. 'It was hard to imagine that China would stop buying Russian oil on instructions from Trump,' the source said, warning that such actions could backfire by driving up global oil prices.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Putin doubts potency of Trump's ultimatum to end the war, sources say
MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum expiring this Friday from US President Donald Trump, and retains the goal of capturing four regions of Ukraine in their entirety, sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters. Trump has threatened to hit Russia with new sanctions and impose 100 percent tariffs on countries that buy its oil -- of which the biggest are China and India -- unless Putin agrees to a ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine. Putin's determination to keep going is prompted by his belief that Russia is winning and by skepticism that yet more US sanctions will have much of an impact after successive waves of economic penalties during 3-1/2 years of war, according to three sources familiar with discussions in the Kremlin. The Russian leader does not want to anger Trump, and he realises that he may be spurning a chance to improve relations with Washington and the West, but his war goals take precedence, two of the sources said. Putin's goal is to fully capture the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which Russia has claimed as its own, and then to talk about a peace agreement, one of the sources said. "If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions which he has claimed for Russia he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives," said James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book "The Return of Russia." The current talks process, in which Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have met three times since May, was an attempt by Moscow to convince Trump that Putin was not rejecting peace, the first source said, adding that the talks were devoid of real substance apart from discussions on humanitarian exchanges. Russia says it is serious about agreeing a long-term peace in the negotiations but that the process is complicated because the two sides' stances are so far apart. Putin last week described the talks as positive. Moscow's stated demands include a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the four regions and acceptance by Kyiv of neutral status and limits on the size of its military –- demands rejected by Ukraine. In a sign that there may yet be an opportunity to strike a deal before the deadline, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia this week, following an escalation in rhetoric between Trump and Moscow over risks of nuclear war. On Monday, Russia said it was no longer bound by a moratorium on short- and medium-range nuclear missiles. The Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment for this story. All the sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Putin remains doubtful of Trump's ultimatum to end war, sources say
Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum expiring this Friday from U.S. President Donald Trump, and retains the goal of capturing four regions of Ukraine in their entirety, sources close to the Kremlin told has threatened to hit Russia with new sanctions and impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy its oil - of which the biggest are China and India - unless Putin agrees to a ceasefire in Russia's war in determination to keep going is prompted by his belief that Russia is winning and by scepticism that yet more U.S. sanctions will have much of an impact after successive waves of economic penalties during 3-1/2 years of war, according to three sources familiar with discussions in the Kremlin. The Russian leader does not want to anger Trump, and he realises that he may be spurning a chance to improve relations with Washington and the West, but his war goals take precedence, two of the sources goal is to fully capture the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which Russia has claimed as its own, and then to talk about a peace agreement, one of the sources said."If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions which he has claimed for Russia he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives," said James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book "The Return of Russia".The current talks process, in which Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have met three times since May, was an attempt by Moscow to convince Trump that Putin was not rejecting peace, the first source said, adding that the talks were devoid of real substance apart from discussions on humanitarian says it is serious about agreeing a long-term peace in the negotiations but that the process is complicated because the two sides' stances are so far apart. Putin last week described the talks as stated demands include a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the four regions and acceptance by Kyiv of neutral status and limits on the size of its military – demands rejected by a sign that there may yet be an opportunity to strike a deal before the deadline, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia this week, following an escalation in rhetoric between Trump and Moscow over risks of nuclear war. On Monday, Russia said it was no longer bound by a moratorium on short- and medium-range nuclear Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment for this story. All the sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the who in the past has praised Putin and held out the prospect of lucrative business deals between their two countries, has lately expressed growing impatience with the Russian president. He has complained about what he called Putin's "bullshit" and described Russia's relentless bombing of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as "disgusting".The Kremlin has said it noted Trump's statements but it has declined to respond to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko last week called on the world to respond with "maximum pressure" after the worst Russian air strike of the year killed 31 people in Kyiv, including five children, in what she called Russia's response to Trump's deadline."President Trump wants to stop the killing, which is why he is selling American-made weapons to NATO members and threatening Putin with biting tariffs and sanctions if he does not agree to a ceasefire," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in response to a request for ADVANCEThe first source said Putin was privately concerned about the recent deterioration of U.S. ties. Putin still retains the hope that Russia can again befriend America and trade with the West, and "he is worried" about Trump's irritation, this person with Moscow's forces advancing on the battlefield and Ukraine under heavy military pressure, Putin does not believe now is the time to end the war, the source said, adding that neither the Russian people nor the army would understand if he stops the author, said Putin has invested his political reputation and legacy in the war in Ukraine."We know from his previous writings and statements that he sees himself as part of a strong tradition of standing up to the West and the rest of world to defend Russia's interests," he Kremlin leader values the relationship with Trump and does not want to anger him, however, "he simply has a top priority - Putin cannot afford to end the war just because Trump wants it," the second Russian source said.A third person familiar with Kremlin thinking also said Russia wanted to take all four regions and did not see the logic in stopping at a time of battlefield gains during Russia's summer has suffered some of its biggest territorial losses of 2025 in the past three months, including 502 square kilometres in July, according to Black Bird Group, a Finland-based military analysis centre. In total, Russia has occupied around a fifth of military General Staff has told Putin that the Ukrainian front will crumble in two or three months, the first person Russia's recent gains remain relatively minor in purely territorial terms, with only 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 square miles) of Ukraine taken since the start of last year, less than 1% of the country's overall territory, according to a June report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think and Western military sources, acknowledge that Russia is making gains, but only gradually and with heavy casualties. Russian war bloggers say Moscow's forces have been bogged down during its current summer offensive in areas where the terrain and dense urban landscape favoured Ukraine, but assess that other areas should be faster to take.'HE'S MADE THREATS BEFORE'Trump's sanctions threat was "painful and unpleasant," but not a catastrophe, the second source said. The third source said there was a feeling in Moscow that "there's not much more that they can do to us".It was also not clear if Trump would follow through on his ultimatum, this person said, adding that "he's made threats before" and then not acted, or changed his source also said it was hard to imagine that China would stop buying Russian oil on instructions from Trump, and that his actions risked backfiring by driving oil prices a consequence of previous rounds of sanctions, Russian oil and gas exporters have taken big hits to their revenues, and foreign direct investment in the country fell by 63% last year, according to U.N. trade data. Around $300 billion of central bank assets have been frozen in foreign Russia's ability to wage war has been unimpeded, thanks in part to ammunition supplies from North Korea and imports from China of dual-use components that have sustained a massive rise in weapons production. The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Russia has some "immunity" to has acknowledged Russia's skill in skirting the measures. "They're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens," he told reporters at the weekend, when asked what his response would be if Russia did not agree to a first Russian source noted that Putin, in pursuing the conflict, was turning his back on a U.S. offer made in March that Washington, in return for his agreement to a full ceasefire, would remove U.S. sanctions, recognise Russian possession of Crimea - annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - and acknowledge de facto Russian control of the territory captured by its forces since source called the offer a "fantastic chance," but said stopping a war was much more difficult than starting it.- EndsMust Watch
