ISW: Putin likely tried to sell Trump a distorted picture of the war in Sept. 8 call
Photo: Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
During a conversation with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin likely presented a distorted picture of the situation on the front line in an attempt to persuade the United States to put pressure on Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin gave Trump a detailed account of his assessment of the fighting taking place on the battlefield and explained what actions the United States, in Moscow's view, could take to help bring the war to an end as quickly as possible.
The sides also discussed the results of Putin's meeting with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which took place on September 6.
ISW explained the Kremlin's position
The Institute for the Study of War believes that Putin's assessment is very distorted due to systematic disinformation from the Russian military leadership.
Analysts note that the Kremlin chief regularly makes exaggerated claims about the advance of Russian forces, creating the impression of their constant and inevitable success.
According to ISW, Putin may have used such an interpretation of events in his conversation with Trump, attempting to convince the US president to increase pressure on Ukraine and secure its agreement to Russia's demands.
After the talks, similar claims continued to be voiced by other Kremlin officials. ISW notes that Moscow continues to insist on its previous conditions, despite noticeable changes in the battlefield situation in Ukraine's favor.
The Institute for the Study of War previously noted that Moscow is not demonstrating a willingness to change its demands in order to end the war and continues to expect to achieve its goals primarily through the continuation of hostilities.
