The hopes of the Russian authorities for quick geopolitical concessions have turned into a loud disappointment: Moscow has suddenly realized that their behind-the-scenes negotiations might have been just a cunning tactical trick.
Kremlin dictator Volodymyr Putin and US President Donald Trump / © Associated Press
In late June 2026, three high-ranking Russian officials publicly stated that Washington had violated agreements on ending the war in Ukraine due to a sharp change in the rhetoric of US President Donald Trump and an increase in Ukrainian drone strikes deep into Russia. The Kremlin launched such a media offensive to demonstrate to its domestic population the existence of diplomatic leverage amidst successful actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Reuters reports on the growing serious disappointment within the Russian leadership.
Accusations of Betrayal of the “Spirit of Anchorage”
The Russian side had long hoped that Donald Trump would support their key demand and force Kyiv to completely cede Donbas in exchange for freezing the front line. However, the American side never confirmed any commitments, and Trump himself soon unexpectedly changed his rhetoric, suggesting the possibility of Ukraine fully reclaiming its territories. This provoked a wave of indignation among Russian diplomats, who now accuse the White House of treachery.
“The current situation shows that this summit could have been just an American trick to buy time for rearming the Kyiv regime,” stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Deputy Minister Sergey Ryabkov also added that Washington’s current political line is increasingly aligning with the anti-Russian stance of Great Britain and France. Despite this, representatives of the occupiers assure that official dialogue with the United States on geopolitics will still continue.
Panic over Drones and Lack of Mediation
Western analysts are convinced that such a sharp change in Kremlin rhetoric indicates deep nervousness within the Russian leadership due to the critical state of its own economy and army. The situation for Moscow is also significantly complicated by the fact that at the recent G7 summit, Volodymyr Zelensky announced to Western leaders a turning point in the war in favor of Ukraine. Furthermore, Russia is very alarmed by the regular destruction of its internal infrastructure, including successful drone attacks on a refinery in Moscow.
“Putin needs to provide an answer that will be visible to the population and demonstrate that he still has cards to play,” insists Austrian analyst Gerhard Mangott.
Experts from the International Crisis Group add that the Kremlin has found itself in a diplomatic vacuum after Washington’s attention completely shifted to the joint war with Israel against Iran. Since Moscow categorically rejects any European mediation, it is desperately trying to use accusations to draw the Americans back into the diplomatic process on its own terms.
“The Russians are very disappointed by this; they really want the Americans to re-engage in the process,” concluded analyst Oleg Ignatov.
Recall that the mood within Russia is gradually changing. According to Zelensky, more and more Russians are expressing dissatisfaction with the authorities because they are beginning to understand that this war holds no prospects for them.
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