For Russia, the U.S. peace deal could be a way of weakening Ukraine

Russia is attempting a conciliatory approach to engage President Trump on a U.S.-sponsored peace deal with Ukraine, risking political damage for President Volodymyr Zelensky. While the U.S. proposes terms that fall short of Russia's maximalist demands, including de-facto Crimea recognition and full Ukrainian territory takeover, the country views the deal as a way to avoid harsh sanctions tied to its war machine. Economic pressures, such as high inflation and falling oil prices, suggest this strategy may not be in Russia's best interest. Meanwhile, Russia is leveraging this engagement to reset relations with Trump's America while deepening divisions within the transatlantic alliance.