Following a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, Russian media's confidence has waned, with reports of confusion and nervousness. Despite Trump's claims of a potential meeting with Ukraine's Zelensky, Russia has not confirmed this, leading to speculation and a shift in media tone.
Uncertainty in Russia After Putin's Meeting with Trump
Uncertainty in Russia After Putin's Meeting with Trump
Vladimir Putin has yet to confirm a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky. However, the tone in Russian media is described as less confident.
- "There is confusion at a high level," says Russia expert Malcolm Dixelius to TV4.
According to Donald Trump, preparations for a bilateral meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky have begun. He stated this after his meeting with several European leaders at the White House on Monday evening.
The plan is for this bilateral discussion to be followed by a trilateral meeting, including Trump.
No Confirmation from Russia
This has not been confirmed by Russia.
In a statement, the Kremlin instead vaguely mentions its intention to "continue direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations," and that "the possibility of involving higher officials from both Ukraine and Russia in these direct talks" is being discussed.
However, the confidence that prevailed after Putin's meeting with Trump in Alaska last Friday has now subsided, and the tone in Russian media and commentators is different today, reports TV4.
"A Sense of Loss"
- "There is a sense on the Russian side that they have lost the advantage gained in the Alaska meeting. That it was all set and that the West would just accept it and everyone would sign," says Russia expert Malcolm Dixelius to TV4 Nyheterna.
He now notices nervousness in the Russian media, saying it feels like "there is confusion at a high level."
- "In the comments, it is written that Trump is a traitor who does not hold firm. The only thing applauded is that Trump does not want a ceasefire but a real peace negotiation. It is nervous, and my impression is that Russia also needs this peace agreement," says Dixelius to TV4.
Downplaying the White House Meeting
Meanwhile, the media is doing its best to downplay the meeting between Trump and Zelensky, according to the Moscow Times. The newspaper reports that state and other Kremlin-friendly media claim that Kiev and Europe do not have enough power to influence the US and Russia's talks about Ukraine, and write that Russian media focuses more on the fact that Trump reportedly interrupted the meeting with European leaders to call Putin than on the meeting itself.
According to the Moscow Times, Russian state TV claims there was "barely any room for smiles" during the White House meeting, while the conversation between Trump and Putin is described as productive.
After this, Trump has also toned down his rhetoric a bit. On Tuesday, he told Fox News that "it is not certain that the Russian president wants a deal."