At least 34 people, including two children, were killed on Sunday as a result of a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy. It seems that Vladimir Putin doesn’t care if this attack blows up peace negotiations.
Vladimir Putin seems indifferent that such strikes ridicule American efforts to bring the two warring parties to the negotiating table.
He doesn't seem to be bothered either that war decisions could alienate Donald Trump, who has so far shown an unusually favorable attitude towards the Russian leader, writes Sky News in a brief analysis of the most recent events on the Ukrainian front.
Perhaps Putin is raising the stakes to the maximum to demonstrate his power: attacks on civilians weaken Ukraine's morale—even if there are no real victories on the battlefield—and he continues to advance on the front without showing any signs of stopping.
Maybe he knows that if he maintains this military pace, President Trump will grow weary of a conflict he realizes he cannot resolve and will let it fizzle out on its own while pursuing his MAGA economic priorities, leaving Ukraine without funds.
Perhaps he is thinking that Trump desires a reconciliation with Russia so much—that grand bilateral meeting with Putin—that the details, the civilian casualties along the way, will seem insignificant when finally the opportunity for that coveted photo arrives.
Whatever the reason, President Putin doesn't seem to be in a hurry to reach a solution for the war.
On Sunday, his spokesperson told state media that negotiations are ongoing at various levels, but "we cannot, of course, expect immediate results."
Withdrawal of troops would bring immediate results. But that's not what Vladimir Putin wants.
Vladimir Putin abandoned decency long before this war began.
What seems to be at risk, through such massive attacks, is Donald Trump's patience.