Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia has grown significantly stronger in recent years, dismissing claims of a weakened position. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a desire to swiftly conclude the Ukraine conflict, potentially by pressuring Ukraine into a Moscow-favorable agreement.
In a strong divergence from the current administration’s strategy of aiding Ukraine “as long as it takes,” as many Biden administration officials have said, Trump has said he wants to end the conflict as quickly as possible to end the bloodshed on both sides, which would seemingly entail forcing Ukraine to accept a deal more favorable to Moscow.
Putin also pushed back on the notion during his annual marathon media availability Thursday that Russia’s bargaining position has been weakened. Putin admitted that he does not know when Russia will be able to drive out Ukrainian forces from the southwestern Kursk region, where Ukrainians have held a small amount of Russian territory. Russian forces, who are operating alongside more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers, have gained some of the territory back in recent weeks.
The war has gone on for nearly three years, and both sides have lost hundreds of thousands of troops. Russia has more troops available than Ukraine, and it has sacrificed its numbers advantage for limited battleground advancement. Russia has sought the aid of Iran, North Korea, and China to help achieve its war aims.
RUSSIA UKRAINE DONALD TRUMP VLADIMIR PUTIN WAR
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