Russians skeptical of U.S. influence after Trump-Putin call

Following the phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, reactions from Russia have been widely discussed among bloggers, officials, and propagandists. Many expressed a sense of confidence that Russia would continue its military actions without significant changes. Russian commentators showed little faith that any agreements discussed during the call would be enforced. Some even expressed satisfaction over recent strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as a sign of Russia's strength under Putin. They also conveyed disdain for the U.S. and for Trump’s attempts to negotiate with the Kremlin. In past discussions, there had been more focus on the talks, but this time military updates appeared to overshadow the dialogue. Notably, there were comments about the ongoing conflict, such as possible offensive actions by Russian forces. Some Russian commentators, like philosopher Dmitry Drobnitsky, emphasized that Russia's military objectives have not changed. He noted that for Trump to engage effectively, he would need to be flattered, as he is viewed as politically vulnerable. Prominent Russian propagandists mocked Trump, suggesting he was unable to achieve anything substantial in discussions with Putin. This included jokes about empty promises of peace. Following the talks, Russian military actions resumed quickly, which led to enthusiastic responses from many online. Despite the aggressive rhetoric, some more analytical sources cautioned that any agreements with the U.S. would be temporary and could easily be disregarded. The consensus among many in the Russian propaganda sphere appears to be one of optimism, believing that they can choose when to follow any deals made with the U.S. and doubting America's ability to compel compliance from Russia.