Putin Decides He Can Step Up Attacks on Kyiv and Trump Won’t Act

world • 9/20/2025

President Vladimir Putin has concluded that military escalation is the best way to force Ukraine into talks on his terms and that Donald Trump is unlikely to do much to bolster Kyiv’s defenses, according to people close to the Kremlin.

President Vladimir Putin has concluded that military escalation is the best way to force Ukraine into talks on his terms and that Donald Trump is unlikely to do much to bolster Kyiv’s defenses, according to people close to the Kremlin. Russian forces... [399 chars]