Putin Stalls Ceasefire Talks as Trump Increases Pressure on Russia (Video)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is using traditional Kremlin negotiation tactics to stall discussions on a proposed thirty-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Rather than outright rejecting the deal and risking further conflict with the United States, or accepting it and losing battlefield momentum, Putin has chosen to drag out negotiations by raising endless details and conditions.

According to The Telegraph, Putin’s approach allows him to appear open to talks while continuing military operations. By focusing on so-called “nuances” that need discussion, he is playing for time, attempting to secure additional concessions while keeping up the war effort. This method has long been used by Russia to frustrate diplomatic efforts and shift responsibility onto the other side when negotiations stall.

The challenge now falls to US President Donald Trump and his administration. If the White House ignores Putin’s delaying tactics and demands an immediate ceasefire, it could push Russia into ending hostilities. This would require the US to take a firm stance, potentially through strong economic pressure or a new round of severe sanctions.

Putin’s position is weaker than he presents. Russian forces are losing up to one thousand troops daily, while the economy is under severe strain from sanctions and military expenditures. If trends continue, Moscow could face domestic instability by 2026. Experts suggest that if the US increases pressure, Putin may be forced to back down.

If, however, the US falls into the trap of discussing endless details with the Kremlin, the ceasefire negotiations could be dragged out indefinitely. Putin has already signalled the conditions he plans to exploit, including questions over how the ceasefire would be monitored, who would enforce it, and what consequences would follow violations. These discussions could stretch for weeks, allowing Russia to continue its military aggression while claiming to be engaged in peace talks.

Trump has stated that the US could take “devastating” measures against Russia’s economy to force Moscow into a peace deal. However, analysts warn that there are limits to what Washington can do in pushing Russia towards an agreement. Putin’s reaction to the ceasefire proposal indicates that Russia will not be easily pressured. He has signalled that any deal must include terms that Kyiv would struggle to accept, further complicating the path to peace.

The most effective way to counter Putin’s strategy may be to escalate pressure on Russia’s main economic lifeline—its oil and gas exports. These energy revenues are key to financing the war, and restricting them could deal a significant blow to Moscow’s ability to sustain its military campaign. The coming days will test how far the US is willing to go to break Putin’s resistance.