**Putin's Diplomatic Strategy Amid Ongoing Conflict with Ukraine**

*This article examines President Putin's insistence on negotiating a peace settlement while continuing military operations in Ukraine, and the implications of U.S. relations on the economic front.*

Since launching the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, President Vladimir V. Putin has pursued a path to conclude the conflict on his own terms. Recent diplomatic initiatives reflect his determination to negotiate a comprehensive peace deal, even as military actions persist, aligning with his belief in Russia's advantageous position.

Despite external pressures from Ukraine, the European Union, and previously from the United States demanding an immediate cease-fire as a precursor for peace negotiations, Putin's hard-line stance continues unabated. Following a phone conversation with President Trump, who expressed support for direct Ukraine-Russia talks aimed at achieving a cease-fire, there appears to be a shift away from Trump's earlier commitment for a swift resolution to the war.

However, this diplomatic gain poses challenges for Putin's economic aspirations, particularly concerning normalizing relations with the United States. Trump clarified that any economic rapprochement would hinge on an established peace in Ukraine, intertwining both issues in such a way that could leave Russia in a prolonged state of economic isolation. Trump's statement emphasized, "Russia wants to do large scale trade with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree."

In light of potential new Western sanctions, Putin has repeatedly indicated that Russia is prepared to adapt to economic pressures. Notably, the Kremlin claims resilience in adjusting to such sanctions, suggesting that the prospect of economic relief is not immediately attainable while military operations continue.