MOSCOW, Jul 16 (Alliance News): Russian President Vladimir Putin has resolved to press ahead with the war in Ukraine until the West accepts peace on his terms, showing little regard for U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of fresh sanctions or increased military support to Kyiv, according to sources close to the Kremlin.
Despite mounting Western pressure and Trump’s ultimatum for a ceasefire within 50 days, three Kremlin-linked insiders told Reuters that Putin is emboldened by battlefield advances and economic resilience.
He believes Russia can withstand further sanctions and use military momentum to expand its territorial demands.
“Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on peace — not even Trump — so he will continue until he gets what he wants,” one source said, adding that Putin views the conflict as a pivotal struggle for Russia’s geopolitical future.
The war, now in its third year, has killed or wounded an estimated 1.2 million people. Russia already controls about 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, and large parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Its recent gains — over 1,400 square kilometers in three months — may push Putin to widen territorial ambitions if Ukrainian defences weaken, sources warned.
Trump, since taking office in January, has sought a swift end to the war and floated the idea of recognising Russia’s hold over Crimea. He has also walked back U.S. support for Ukraine’s NATO membership.
On Monday, Trump announced a new wave of arms to Kyiv, including Patriot missile systems, and threatened 100% tariffs on Russian goods and secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil — mainly China and India.
But Kremlin insiders said such measures wouldn’t sway Putin. “He believes Russia’s economy can endure whatever Trump throws at it,” a second source said. Russia’s economy, while slowed by sanctions, is projected to grow 2.5% in 2025.
Despite multiple conversations between Trump and Putin — and diplomatic overtures by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff — sources say talks haven’t progressed to the level of serious negotiations.
Putin is reportedly willing to discuss a broader security arrangement for Ukraine, but insists on a halt to NATO expansion, a neutral Ukraine with a limited military, protections for Russian-speaking populations, and Kyiv’s recognition of Russia’s territorial gains.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has rejected those demands, saying Ukraine will never surrender its land or right to self-determination. Kyiv insists that any peace must involve full Russian withdrawal.
Trump’s attempt to reset ties with Putin has drawn criticism. On Monday, he called Putin “not an assassin, but a tough guy” in remarks that sharply contrasted with his Democratic predecessor’s rhetoric.
Yet even as Trump prepares to release his own peace roadmap later this month, Russian sources say Putin views Trump as unpredictable and hard to trust.
“Putin is navigating carefully — he doesn’t want to provoke Trump, but he’s not compromising either,” said a third source.
As drone attacks and artillery duels continue across Ukraine, experts warn of further escalation in coming months. With diplomacy stalled and the Kremlin signalling resolve, the war shows no sign of abating.
