From Hope to Indifference: The Trump-Putin Phone Calls
On April 29, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held yet another phone conversation. In Kyiv, the call drew little attention—since the start of the year, there have been 11 such discussions, none of which have produced any tangible progress toward peace. As a result, Ukraine is increasingly relying on its own capabilities and support from the European Union.
Over the past year, Trump and Putin have spoken 11 times, yet not a single one of those conversations has moved peace negotiations forward. According to Oleksandr Merezhko,
“we no longer pay much attention to such calls, because they yield no real results”. A year ago, most Ukrainians viewed Trump’s return to power as good news, but by December 2024, roughly three-quarters of the public considered it a negative development. Data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) shows that nearly three out of four Ukrainians said last month they do not believe a lasting peace can be achieved through U.S.-mediated talks.
Betting on Self-Reliance and International Backup
In response to the ongoing challenges, Ukraine struck oil infrastructure near Perm just one hour after the April 29 call ended. NASA satellites detected multiple fires in the Perm area following the attack. The European Union has provided Ukraine with over 100 billion euros in support.
Meanwhile, Moscow has significantly scaled back its May 9 parade plans due to the threat of attacks. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that Putin used the April 29 call to push a narrative of Russia’s inevitable victory.
Oleksandr Merezhko emphasized that
“Ukraine will try to maintain constructive working relations with the United States”, despite growing skepticism about the potential for peace negotiations. Accordingly, Ukraine is now focusing on its own resources and international backing to ensure its security and stability under difficult circumstances.
The current situation highlights Ukraine’s growing independence in addressing security challenges, as well as its drive to strengthen international ties, particularly with the European Union. While talks with Russia remain fruitless, it is crucial for Ukraine to keep a constructive dialogue with the United States—if only at a support level—to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This reflects a shift toward a more proactive strategy, centered on self-reliance and international cooperation.
As Ukraine grapples with the stagnation in U.S.-Russia negotiations, understanding the underlying factors affecting these talks becomes crucial. The recent analysis highlights why U.S. pressure on Ukraine has been ineffective, shedding light on Trump's reluctance to leverage his position against Moscow. This context may offer insights into Ukraine's shifting strategies as it seeks to navigate its complex relationship with both the U.S. and Russia.