Putin’s boldness is growing because of Trump’s stance, says Ukrainian expert

"It is precisely Trump’s stance that has led to Putin’s boldness today. If Putin understood that he would receive a worthy response, for example, if he launched an attack, and immediately conditional Tomahawk missiles would arrive in Ukraine, well, not Tomahawks exactly, but American weapons — and in response, warehouses and so on would be destroyed. Just like we once destroyed a warehouse in the Bryansk region, where there was almost an earthquake, barely outside Moscow, no exaggeration. That would be a worthy response. The Kremlin understood that this would not happen," Klochok said.

He noted that Europe remains silent because it has taken such a position.

"We have pushed Putin to the point where we refused to agree to a ceasefire; we continue to fight, but also negotiate. That means we can achieve everything. It was Trump who said he was against handing over the territories not controlled by Russia — referring to Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. But we think differently. Let’s hit back hard, you see?" the expert added.

According to him, this is not agony but a cold-blooded calculation to keep going.

"Today, I am inclined, and not just inclined, but our analysis of the center, my colleagues, and so on, shows that Russia does not have sufficient military and mechanical capabilities to achieve huge success on the front. Since Western aid is coming in, there is no parity as such, of course, but given that Ukraine has been in a stalemate for two years, until 2023, Russia will not be able to succeed," Klochko said.

He emphasized that Russia is ready to expend huge human resources and also fight for some time with the support of China, because China is a decisive factor in Russia’s war against Ukraine, even more decisive than Korea.

At the same time, the expert agrees that Russia’s potential is not unlimited — it will run out sooner or later.

"But in the current situation, it is absolutely logical, having an advantage on the battlefield and winning some victories, to delay negotiations as long as possible. The side that has the advantage never sits down at the negotiating table. Well, this is a classic of war.. Why would anyone think they will quickly sit down? They need to create conditions so that they do," Klochok added.

Therefore, according to the expert, it must be understood that right now, Putin is dragging out the negotiations. He "shows readiness to stop at some point, but he must be stopped."

"When there is a halt, when he hits a wall and even begins to retreat on certain fronts, then we come out and say, look, we’re ready to stop the fighting — one, two, three. Reparations and sanctions remain in place, deputinization of Russia continues — only then can we talk about a ceasefire. If we have the advantage, because then we will be able to dictate terms, since at this stage it is difficult. We can express a wish that they return to the 1991 borders, but Russia will not agree to that. Appropriate pressure must be applied to them. I therefore hope that long-range weapons, sanctions — all this must be implemented regardless of Russia’s current position," Klochok said.

Trump’s latest statement about Putin

Over the last three nights, Russia has launched massive attacks on Ukrainian territory using various weapons. Initially, US President Donald Trump did not comment on the Russian strikes.

However, later, Trump stated that Putin has gone crazy.

"Something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!" Trump wrote about Putin on Truth Social, referring to Russia’s attack last night.

Commenting on the recent massive attacks against Ukraine, Trump also said that the US is definitely considering the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia.