Moscow has sent a classic mixed message to Washington, with President Vladimir Putin delivering a diplomatic overture to Donald Trump that was heavily laced with defiance. This dual approach of extending a hand while showing a fist defines Russia’s current negotiating posture.
The overture was clear: Putin praised Trump as a “light at the end of the tunnel” and expressed hope for a revival of ties. This is the conciliatory message, aimed at opening a direct channel for dialogue and de-escalation.
The defiance was equally clear: Putin passionately defended Russian sovereignty as an existential issue, declaring the nation would “cease to exist” without it. This is the hardline message, setting firm boundaries on how far Russia is willing to compromise.
This mixed message is a direct response to Trump’s two-week ultimatum on Ukraine. It signals that Russia is willing to talk and negotiate, especially with Trump, but it will not be bullied into a settlement that it feels undermines its fundamental security and identity.