Putin-Trump talks: Russian media hails 'triumph for Putin'
Russian state media report on the conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, largely echoing the official Kremlin communications on the subject. They also claim that, according to the global press, it was a "triumph for Putin."
Many of the reports provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
State and pro-government Russian journals, including "Vedomosti" and "Kommersant," extensively cover the phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, highlighting, amongst other things, that the global press considered it a "triumph for Putin."
The "Vedomosti" newspaper notes that the conversation between Putin and Trump occurred three years after the last official discussion between Putin and then-U.S. President Joe Biden. At that time, Moscow did not receive the responses it was hoping for. "The start of the current dialogue may become a step in the opposite direction, although many experts urge caution" - the newspaper adds.
"Kommersant" relays reactions in the Western press and highlights the phrase "Putin's day of triumph" in the headline of its article, used — as reported — by the Swedish newspaper "Svenska Dagbladet." In a separate piece, "Kommersant" discusses official communications from the Kremlin and the White House, and comments on Trump's words about the joint efforts of the two countries during World War II, ironically suggesting that one might ask if Trump will visit Moscow on 9th May (when Russia marks the anniversary of the end of the war).
The economic portal RBK emphasizes that the exchange rate of the American currency fell to below 90 rubles per dollar in the international currency market.
Comments from independent media
Among the independent media operating outside Russia, Radio Svoboda published extensive comments. Most of the experts quoted consider the conversation to be an unfavourable signal for Ukraine.
"It can be concluded that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin want to resolve the conflict independently, without the active participation of Ukraine, and thus undertake what Putin supposedly dreams of: a repeat of the Yalta process, in which two great countries decide the fate of others" - expert William Pomeranz from the American Wilson Center told Radio Svoboda. The analyst considers this approach "unrealistic." If the Trump administration indeed "believes it can single-handedly force Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement, it might be overestimating its capabilities" - Pomeranz added.
