Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has concluded that military escalation is the best way to force Ukraine to negotiate on his terms, and US President Donald Trump is unlikely to do anything to strengthen Kyiv’s defenses.

As Censor.NET reports with reference to Bloomberg, this is stated by people close to the Kremlin.

Thus, it is noted that since the meeting of the leaders of the United States and Russia in Anchorage and after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Putin’s demands to give up territories in eastern Ukraine, Russian troops have already intensified their attacks on military and civilian targets in Ukraine.

Putin intends to continue attacking Ukraine’s energy grids and other infrastructure, the sources said, adding that talks in Alaska had convinced Putin that Trump was not interested in intervening in the conflict.

In response to Russia’s increased aggression, Trump this week expressed dissatisfaction with Putin’s approach and proposed tougher sanctions against Moscow and its allies to cut off Russia’s oil revenues. But he has insisted that Kiev’s European allies take tougher action before the United States takes any steps.

Trump has also called on the G7 to impose tariffs on China and India as punishment for buying Russian gas. The European Union is also discussing a new package of sanctions and plans to accelerate the phase-out of Russian LNG.

Moscow’s recent tactics underscore how signs of restraint from the United States are emboldening the Kremlin, which is continuing its war of attrition to force concessions from Ukraine. Russian officials believe the strategy potentially undermines Kyiv’s defenses and also lays the groundwork for future negotiations.

The publication notes that in Anchorage, Putin proposed a ceasefire and a freeze on the front line in southern Ukraine if Kyiv agreed to cede part of the territory in two regions in the east. He had previously demanded that Ukraine limit the size of its armed forces and abandon its aspirations to join NATO.

People close to the Kremlin have noted that since Ukraine rejected these conditions, Putin believes this justifies his escalation.

The publication’s sources also noted that Putin will continue to participate in any dialogue with the US, but will continue to do what is in his interests.

Senior Research Fellow at the Center for New Eurasian Strategies, Nikolai Petrov, emphasized that Putin is striving to achieve some visible victories by winter, but so far has been failing on the battlefield: “That is why he is resorting to nuclear blackmail and psychological pressure, including massive bombings.”

Author:  Natalia Dzhuma Джерело: https://censor.net/ua/n3575258

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