Kremlin tries to divert attention from war in Ukraine through arms deal with US
фото: Reuters
The Kremlin is trying to drag Washington into arms control talks to gain geopolitical concessions in the war against Ukraine. Moscow is using the New START treaty as a lever to pressure the Trump administration, playing on its willingness to engage in strategic dialogue.
This is stated in a report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts emphasize: Putin is trying to create the illusion of a symmetrical partnership with the United States in order to present Russia as an equal world power worthy of a separate negotiating track.
The Kremlin stated that the restoration of full participation in the New START treaty is possible only under the condition of a “complex of steps to normalize relations” with the United States. At the same time, Moscow links its nuclear policy to Washington’s position on Ukraine, in particular, to the level of military assistance to Kyiv.
ISW analysts believe that such rhetoric is part of a broader strategy. The Kremlin is not interested in real peace negotiations, but instead is trying to impose negotiations on the West on its own terms, while simultaneously absolving itself of responsibility for stalling the peace process.
From the outside, this looks like an attempt to restore a Soviet-style diplomatic game – with the division of spheres of influence and bargaining for security guarantees. The ISW also notes that Putin’s statements are aimed at creating pressure not only on the Trump administration, but also on Western public opinion, with the message: “the war will drag on if we don’t come to an agreement with Russia now.”
As a reminder, US President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and named the conditions under which Russia would lose the war against Ukraine.
As reported, US President Donald Trump made a number of high-profile statements during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the main of which was the admission that Russian leader Vladimir Putin “let him down.” The American president openly admitted that he expected an easier path to ending the war in Ukraine thanks to his own contacts with the Kremlin, but the situation turned out to be much more complicated.
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