Kremlin: No Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Memorandum Amidst Shifting US Stance

Kremlin's Stance on Peace Talks

• 📌 Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, stated that there can be no deadline for a memorandum on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• 💬 Peskov indicated that while both Washington and Moscow desire a swift resolution, the details are complex, and no location for further meetings has been set.

Impact of Trump-Putin Call

• 📞 Following a call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine would immediately begin negotiating a ceasefire.
• 🎯 From the Kremlin's perspective, the call was beneficial for Putin as the US president has not significantly altered the status quo.
• ⚠️ Trump has reportedly reversed his earlier insistence on a ceasefire preceding talks, now suggesting talks first, then considering a ceasefire.
• 🚫 Fresh sanctions on Russia have been ruled out for now, which aligns with Putin's objectives.

Putin's Determination and War Machine

• 🗺️ Putin remains determined to conquer Ukraine, with Russian officials emphasizing the need to address the "root causes" of the crisis, interpreted as preventing Ukraine's sovereignty.
• 🏭 Russia's war machine appears strong enough to continue, with ongoing production of drones, artillery shells, and missiles, supported by allies like North Korea and Iran.
• 📉 While oil prices are lower, they are not low enough to cripple the Russian economy.

Disappointment with Allies and Sanctions

• 🗓️ Ukraine may be disappointed with its allies, as the May 12th deadline for Russia to cease fire has passed without significant action.
• 🚫 Threats of crippling sanctions have not materialized, which Putin may interpret as an invitation to continue attacking Ukraine.
• 🇪🇺 The EU may approve its 17th package of sanctions, but their effectiveness against Putin remains uncertain.