Putin and Trump had their first call on February 12, 2025. The call went well and it looked as if Trump was ready to solve the Ukraine conflict, taking into consideration the realities on the ground. Russia had won the war. Sanctions had failed. NATO defeated. EU deindustrialized.

Trump change direction and decided to go the route of Kellogg, EU and Neocons. The Trump White House opted for a freeze strategy and a defeat of Russia. The strategy lasted 6 months and failed with the 100% tariff armegeddon, more sanctions and Trump weapons deliveries. The end result being a unified BRICS, a stronger Russia and a war that was now owned by Trump.

For six months Putin remained calm and measured, as Trump vented his anger and frustration towards the Russian leader. Russia was consistant, always letting the US know that Istanbul Plus root causes, from June 2024, remained on the table.

The Russian military continued its war of attrition, destroying NATO wonder weapons and setting up the scenario we have today in Donbass, Kherson and Kharkov, where with one final push, dozens of key nodes in Ukraine’s defense lines will crumble like a house of cards in quick order.

Putin played the long game, knowing that once all doors for a defeat of Russia were slammed shut, Trump would have no choice but to revert back to February 12, 2025 and send Witkoff to Moscow to make a deal.

Vir: Alex Christoforou