Russia and Ukraine Intensify Pressure to Sway Trump Ahead of Peace Talks

Russia stepped up warnings and displays of force toward Ukraine on Tuesday as the Kremlin sought to influence U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of planned peace talks. The developments reflect a broader information and diplomatic campaign by both Moscow and Kyiv to shape international — and specifically American — perceptions of the battlefield.

A senior Russian official issued personal threats against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Moscow accused Kyiv of launching a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence — an allegation Kyiv denied. Moscow also announced it had moved nuclear-capable missiles into active service in Belarus, a step that prompted concern among Western governments and analysts.

The New York Times reported that Kyiv and Moscow are competing to shape Trump’s “perception of the battlefield,” a dynamic that could influence U.S. policy and any potential negotiations. The Financial Times’ Europe editor wrote that Putin appears intent on securing a one-sided peace deal, while Zelenskyy is focused on preventing Trump from aligning with Moscow — a challenge the editor described as “Sisyphean.”

Context and stakes: Beyond the military maneuvers, both sides are conducting a high-stakes public-relations effort aimed at the U.S. leader and international audiences. How Trump perceives the conflict could affect the framing and terms of any ceasefire or settlement discussed at upcoming talks.

Sources: Statements from Moscow, reporting by The New York Times and commentary in the Financial Times.