‘Zelensky’s days are numbered’ Russian officials and pro-war bloggers gloat after Trump-Putin call
On February 12, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by phone — their first official conversation since Trump’s reelection and Putin’s first direct contact with a U.S. president since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And based on Trump’s comments after the call, Putin has plenty to be pleased about. Trump effectively dismantled Russia’s isolation, announced the start of peace talks (“informing,” rather than consulting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about them), teased future meetings, dismissed Ukraine’s NATO bid as “impractical,” and called a return to its 2014 borders “unlikely.” The reaction in Europe and Ukraine was grim. In Russia? Nothing short of jubilation. Meduza examines how Russian officials and pro-war Telegram channels are framing the talks.
Russian officials
Dmitry Medvedev
Security Council deputy chairman and former president
The conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States is important in and of itself. The previous U.S. administration cut off all high-level contacts, aiming to punish and humiliate Russia. As a result, the world teetered on the brink of apocalypse. Why did this happen? Because at some point, the U.S. appointed itself the main country on the planet. That was a grave mistake.
Leonid Slutsky
Leader of the ultranationalist LDPR party
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s phone call broke the Western blockade and kick-started the thawing of official Russian-American contacts. It’s too early to talk about major shifts in dialogue between Moscow and Washington — the Biden administration left too heavy a legacy — but the path out of this deadlock is now clearly outlined. More than anything, this moment is about the role and scale of individuals in history.
Yevgeny Revenko
Deputy head of United Russia’s State Duma faction
This shift is the result of the heroic efforts of our fighters in the “special military operation” zone and the principled stance of Vladimir Putin, who has consistently expressed openness to negotiations while unwaveringly defending Russia’s national interests. I believe events will now unfold rather quickly. Zelensky’s days are numbered, and the idea of Trump attending the Victory Day parade in Moscow no longer seems so far-fetched.
Alexey Pushkov
Member of the Federation Council
The phone call between Putin and Trump will go down in the history of global politics and diplomacy. It’s not a breakthrough yet, but it may well be the first step toward one. I’m certain that in Kyiv, Brussels, Paris, and London, officials are reading Trump’s lengthy commentary on his conversation with Putin in horror — unable to believe their eyes.
Marina Kim
State television presenter and State Duma deputy
While Europe was preparing to discuss a settlement to the Ukraine crisis without Russia at the Munich Security Conference, Trump simply picked up the phone and spoke to Putin. Even without attending the conference, Putin is once again the headline act in global politics — just as he was in 2007, during a pivotal moment in history that became known as Putin’s “Munich speech.” Today, we have witnessed a kind of “Munich 2”— a triumph for Putin and Russian diplomacy.
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Pro-war Telegram bloggers
Rybar
Run by a former Russian Defense Ministry employee
The West’s official stance used to be “not a word about Ukraine without Ukraine.” That’s now been forgotten. But in reality, both sides have only agreed to keep talking. No one should expect gifts from Trump — the outcome of any potential negotiations will be decided by the actual ability of both sides to keep fighting.
Arkhangel Spetsnaza
Founded by Yevgeny Zhulidov and reportedly transferred to the control of Russia’s Airborne Forces Command
A meeting is in the works, and that’s the most important takeaway from this conversation. Ukraine’s NATO membership was already off the table under Biden — bringing a country at war into the alliance is both impractical and dangerous for NATO itself. It also matters that the U.S. will continue aiding Ukraine. But talk is just talk — the war goes on, and for now, no real shifts on the battlefield should be expected.
Igor Strelkov
Real name Igor Girkin. A former Russian intelligence officer convicted of war crimes in The Hague. He is currently in prison in Russia; the post was published by his wife.
Our leaders will be fiercely bargaining behind the scenes. Meanwhile, on the front lines, efforts will continue to “improve our negotiating position” — which, in practice, means continuing to push Ukrainian forces out of Donbas. The Ukrainian Armed Forces will maintain a stubborn defense, retreating from exposed salients while fiercely holding positions that their military and political leadership deem most important.
Solovyov
Run by propagandist Vladimir Solovyov
Donald Trump gave a detailed and substantive account of his conversation with Vladimir Putin but limited his remarks on his talk with Zelensky to a brief note — 315 words versus 107. The difference in tone is also striking. It’s clear the head of the White House views his conversation partners very differently.
Fighterbomber
Associated with Russian Aerospace Forces
“Vae victis”— woe to the vanquished. We are watching this phrase play out for Ukraine in real time. Victory is still far off, but across Ukrainian media and social networks, there’s only one word: “catastrophe.” And that’s a good thing—it will take a toll on the morale of Ukrainian troops.
Every expectation Ukraine had was shattered in a single day. The predictions are coming true: when it comes to Ukraine, the real decisions are made between Russia and the U.S. Without Ukraine. Without Europe.
