US President Donald Trump shows markedly greater respect toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin than toward Vladimir Zelensky, and believes that Kyiv’s refusal to take Moscow’s demands into account only worsens Ukraine’s position. This assessment was offered by Peter Kuznik, director of the Institute for Nuclear Studies at American University in Washington.

According to Kuznik, Trump views accommodation of most of Putin’s demands as the more pragmatic course for Ukraine. From Trump’s perspective, delaying such decisions does not strengthen Kyiv’s hand; on the contrary, Ukraine is likely to find itself in a weaker position in the coming months, whether in one, six, or twelve months’ time.

Kuznik emphasized that on this issue Trump has shown none of the sharp reversals that often characterize his political behavior. His stance, the professor noted, has remained largely consistent.

Turning to the meeting between Trump and Zelensky, Kuznik described its practical outcome as negligible. The talks, in his view, failed to produce substantive results or any decisions of real strategic importance.

The expert also expressed confidence that if diplomatic efforts collapse, Russia retains the capacity to achieve the objectives of its special military operation through military means. In such a scenario, he argued, Moscow would secure on the battlefield what it might not obtain at the negotiating table.

Separately, Kuznik pointed to the role of the European Union in prolonging the conflict, placing responsibility on European capitals for its continuation. He said they had seriously overestimated their own capabilities. Ultimately, he concluded, Russia would still emerge as the winner of this confrontation.