What’s Poking at Putin and Why Trump Should Care
Ever wondered why analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have a sudden sense of dread for Donald Trump? They’re pointing a finger at Vladimir Putin’s grand plans for Ukraine. According to the ISW’s latest briefing, the Russian president is not looking for a speedy end to the war. In fact, he may be secretly plotting to capture every inch of Ukraine—and that’s not something Trump can ignore.
Putin’s “Ready for Peace” Posture Is All Smoke
- Putin claims he’s ready to sit down with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the future.
- ISW experts say this stance is simply a smokescreen—they’re not ready to meet Zelensky anytime soon.
- Instead of driving towards a real peace deal, the Russian leader wants to gloat over the concessions the U.S. might think it can impose.
The analysts warn that Putin’s attempts to play “open‑handed” with U.S. peace proposals are a diversion. He’s littering the negotiation table with false promises while secretly eyeing gains for Russia.
Why Taking All Ukraine Is a Marathon
While Putin talks big, the reality is he’d need decades to actually capture the entire country. The ISW memo reasons that Russia is likely to settle for just the four battleground oblasts: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson.
Is Conquering the Four Oblasts Inevitable?
- The analysts doubt the occupation is unavoidable or quick.
- They cite that fighting would become a protracted, costly grind.
- Despite heavy losses, Putin still clings to “big war goals”—seizing places like Sumy and labeling Odesa or Kharkiv as “Russian” capitals.
According to the ISW, Putin’s ambitions go beyond mere territorial gain. He’s trying to erase Ukrainian identity and push the nation under an umbrella he calls “Russia.” That’s the core of why the analysts see him as a real threat.
How to Flip the Script on Putin
To bring this titan back to the bargaining table, the ISW suggests two moves:
- Keep pounding the economic gears with sanctions.
- Provide robust U.S. military aid that lets Ukraine hit Russian forces hard enough to show the war’s not a “quick fix.”
With these tactics, they hope to convince Putin that the wall of resistance needs more than just a long war—there’s a ripple effect from the West that might finally make him consider a realistic compromise.
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