### Putin Holds Firm in Talks with Trump, Insisting on Key Demands for Ukraine

In a communication from the Kremlin following the conversation, it became clear that President Putin has not shifted from his firmly entrenched positions related to the Ukrainian conflict. Although the dialogue included mentions of a limited halt on energy infrastructure strikes, a prisoner exchange, and discussions on Black Sea security—framed as concessions by both Moscow and Washington—these are longstanding goals that the Kremlin has pursued in the past.

Critically, Putin's demands for a 30-day comprehensive cease-fire continue to be nonnegotiable for Ukraine, as he asserts that allegations of Ukrainian violations taint any discussions. The Russian leader underscored his primary aim: a full halt to outside military support for Ukraine, a condition that analysts warn would leave Ukraine vulnerable to Russian dominance, further securing Moscow's military grip over the region.

As combat operations persist in Ukraine, with Russia gaining ground, the prospects for any meaningful resolution to the conflict appear dim, with both sides remaining entrenched in their positions. The situation underscores the complexity of the geopolitical landscape, as external factors continue to shape the trajectory of the ongoing war.