This shift in stance marks a departure from initial expectations when Trump took office, aiming for a warmer relationship with Moscow while suggesting he could resolve the Ukraine crisis quickly. There was hope from the Russian side that Trump’s favor could lead to a diplomatic easing, including sanctions relief and investment opportunities, provided that Russia would agree to a cease-fire allowing it to keep its seized territories.

Putin’s determination to continue military actions is a testament to his belief in the potential for achieving his strategic objectives in Ukraine, thereby not attaching significance to the changing political dynamics in the U.S.