The subtext of the phone conversation between the two leaders is sketched out by the BBC, in an effort to identify the winners and losers in the negotiation between the two leaders regarding Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Donald Trump enough to claim progress towards peace in Ukraine without appearing to have been misled by the Kremlin, notes the analysis of the call between the two leaders. If this happens, it could bring some relief to civilians. However, it does not approach the full and unconditional ceasefire that the U.S. wanted from Russia. The ‘very nasty war’ that Trump insisted could stop continues to rage. And Putin, accused as a suspected war criminal by the International Criminal Court, has returned to the top of world politics. Russian state media reports that the call between the two presidents lasted over two hours. The Kremlin’s readout of the call is also extensive, at 500 words. It presents the discussion as casual, with details that would appeal to a Russian audience. The two leaders even discussed Middle East peace and ‘global security.’ Prior to the call, some questioned whether Trump could exert any pressure on Russia. After all, it was clear for over a week that he delayed the ceasefire. However, there is no sign of a confrontation with Putin comparable to what Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy endured in the Oval Office just 15 days ago. Russia reiterates its desire for peace but instead of grounding its drones and silencing its weapons, questions how a non-existent truce could be monitored. Meanwhile, it adds more conditions aimed at crippling Kyiv’s ability to resist. One of Putin’s demands is to halt the flow of arms and information to Ukraine from its allies. For Ukrainians, the only hope is that the U.S. has not agreed to any of these terms—yet. ‘This entire discussion will bring minimal relief to Ukraine. For American diplomacy, the result must be disappointing. But for the Kremlin, it might be a fairly dignified day, something unthinkable before Trump returned to the White House,’ concludes the BBC.