The Russian plan to take advantage of the situation - this is how Putin acts

The US presidential election

The Russian plan to take advantage of the situation - this is how Putin acts

John Edgar

Published 00.23

Quick version

• After Donald Trump's great victory, Russian sources within the Kremlin hope to be able to use the situation to gain advantages in the conflict in Ukraine and Europe.
•  Russia is preparing by advancing in Ukraine, hoping that Trump's return will enable negotiations, as it believes that Kiev will be forced to accept negotiations.
• Inside the Kremlin, they closely follow how the US Congress can be affected by party political shifts and how Trump shapes his administration, especially with interest in key positions in security and foreign policy.
  

The plan is put into action after Donald Trump's big victory.

Sources within Putin's regime now reveal how they want to exploit the situation and force a settlement.

Two things are scrutinized extra carefully in the Kremlin.

Americans voted as Russia.

 

On at least seven occasions since Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, the former president spoke on the phone with Vladimir Putin, Bob Woodward stated in his new book "War."

At the same time, the situation has been icy between Putin and President Biden since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Secret congratulations

However, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not want to confirm on Wednesday that the president would pick up the phone and call Trump after the night's big victory.

- I still don't know anything about whether Putin will congratulate, he said during a press conference in Moscow according to the russian new agency Tass.

- I just want to remind you that we are talking about an election that took place in a country with which we do not have friendly relations and which is involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
Putin and Trump at a 2019 summit.

Putin and Trump at a summit in 2019. Photo: Susan Walsh / AP

According to the Russian newspaper Verstka, however, the Russian president secretly conveyed his congratulations "through acquaintances", writes Newsweek.

Other Russian dignitaries such as Foreign Minister Lavrov are said to have wished the new president well.

The plan for Trump's return

And optimism is high in Russian political circles according to the high-ranking sources within the Kremlin, the Russian government and the foreign ministry that the newspaper Vpost spoke to, writes The Moscow Times.

It is believed that Trump's victory could give Russia a decisive push forward - and plans for how to handle the war for the next two or so months until Trump returns to Washington.

- We will continue to advance in Ukraine until the installation, says a government source to the newspaper.

- It would be good to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk in January and then we can decide what to do with Kherson.

On Monday, January 20, Donald Trump will be installed as the 47th president of the United States at a ceremony in Washington.

Devastation after a Russian attack on Kharkiv last week. Photo: Andrii Marienko / AP

"Forced to face reality"

Another high-ranking government source states that it would be "simple and logical" for the new president to propose negotiations on whether Russian forces can push further into Ukraine in late autumn and over the New Year.

It is also believed that it will make Kiev accept negotiations with Russia.

- As soon as Trump takes office and forms his team, we can agree to start consultations. It will be convenient for him to negotiate, the source told Vpost.

- Ukraine will be forced to face reality with the help of the United States.

Donald Trump has repeatedly said Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he were still president - and claimed he can resolve the conflict in 24 hours.

- Trump probably wants to promote this, at least if he gets to be at the center of the whole process and then can get his Nobel Peace Prize or prove important in some other way, says a source to Vpost.

Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense/AP

Looking at two things

- His self-interest has always been great and always will be.

Within the Kremlin, two things are now being followed with great interest.

A parameter of importance to Moscow is the vote count for the House of Representatives, which will determine whether both houses of Congress end up under Republican control. It is already clear that the party will get a majority in the Senate.

- There will not be a divided government with both chambers possibly in the hands of the Republicans and no fear of sabotage from the Democrats, says a Russian government source.

They are also closely watching from the Russian side how Trump shapes his administration.

Future Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

Tributes to Vance

A Kremlin source says that they are particularly interested in who he will be appointed to the positions of national security adviser, foreign minister, defense minister, defense chief and CIA chief.

All of these have a major impact on how US foreign policy will look in the next four years.

A Russian government source says he has great confidence in Trump's Vice President JD Vance.

- If he becomes vice president and participates in creating the team, at least some of the people involved will be rational, he tells Vpost.