Putin's strong plan exposed: Is the Ukraine war stopping because of America? The truth of Russia's strategy

Moscow: The Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, has now entered its third year, and recent developments have raised the question of whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is prolonging the war because of US policies? Based on recently revealed documents and intelligence, it is being claimed that Putin has a strong plan, in which he wants to limit the war not only to the occupation of Ukraine, but also to strengthen his position in the battle for global influence with the US and Western countries.

Putin's plan: Strategy to prolong the war

According to a recent CNN report, US and Western intelligence agencies have received new information that Putin has changed his strategy. Putin was initially believed to want to take over all of Ukraine, but he is now focused on consolidating control over four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia—and on Russia's economy. Putin believes that by prolonging the war he could not only weaken Ukraine but also drive a wedge between the US and Europe, especially after US President Donald Trump has signaled a retreat from ceasefire efforts.

Putin recently discussed a ceasefire in a two-hour phone call with Trump, but rejected the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Instead, he put forth conditions to "eradicate the roots of the war," including Ukraine's permanent neutrality, a halt to NATO expansion, and relief from sanctions against Russia.

Is the US the real reason?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently criticized the US "silence" after Russia launched its biggest-ever airstrike on Ukraine with 355 drones and nine cruise missiles on May 25-26, killing 12 people, including three children. Zelensky says Trump's soft policy and decision not to impose sanctions is making Putin more aggressive.

Trump claimed during his campaign that he would end the war in 24 hours, but his recent change in strategy—such as abandoning ceasefire mediation and asking the two sides to negotiate directly—has caused frustration in Ukraine and its European allies. A Ukrainian military analyst claimed Putin had "tricked" Trump and adopted a strategy of prolonging the war on his own terms.

Putin's conditions and strategy

Putin recently told Reuters that he is ready for "direct negotiations" with Ukraine, but his conditions are clear:

• Guarantees of Ukraine's permanent neutrality and non-joining NATO.
• Partial relief of sanctions against Russia and the return of seized Russian assets.
• Protection for Russian-speaking people in Ukraine.
• Annexation of four regions to Russia and recognition of Russia's claim to Crimea.

These conditions undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, which Zelensky has flatly rejected. Putin believes that Russia's slow but steady military progress and Europe's scattered response are buying him time. Russia currently occupies 20% of Ukraine's territory, and Putin thinks he can gain more territory by prolonging the war.

Questions over US role

Trump's policies have sent mixed messages. On the one hand, he warned Putin that if he tried to occupy all of Ukraine, it would be the "collapse" of Russia. On the other hand, he has pressured Ukraine to consider handing over Crimea and other regions to Russia, which Zelenskyy rejected.

The recent mineral deal between the US and Ukraine has worried Russia, as it could provide additional resources for military aid to Ukraine. But Trump refused to impose new sanctions on Russia, which European allies and Ukraine consider a weak stance. French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump now needs to turn Putin's "false peace" talk into action.

Putin's moves: War for global influence

Putin's strategy is not limited to Ukraine. He is fighting a larger geopolitical battle with the US and the West. Russia recently refused to discuss the EU's carbon border adjustment package, calling it a response to the "aggressive war" on Ukraine. In addition, Putin strengthened his partnership with China, as shown in Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow on May 9, to maintain Russia's influence on the global stage.

Putin's strategy is an attempt to take advantage of Trump's "America First" policy, in which he believes Trump will give less priority to Europe and Ukraine. Some analysts say Putin is wasting time by engaging Trump in talks so that Russia can gain further advantage on the battlefield.