According to 24tv, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin called US Donald Trump on June 14 to congratulate him on his birthday. One day later, on June 15, Russia carried out a massive attack on Kyiv. For President Volodymyr Zelensky, the timing is no coincidence: Putin deliberately placed the call before the attack to avoid having to justify the assault to Trump. If the attack had come earlier, Putin would have had to provide explanations during the conversation, Zelensky said.
The head of the Center for Public Analytics “Vezha,” Valeriy Klochko, sees an even more complex strategy behind Putin’s move. He told 24tv that Trump is largely indifferent to the situation in Ukraine. Instead, the US president is pursuing a grand deal with China, in which Russia is just one element. Putin has factored this in. Moreover, it was important for the Kremlin chief to speak with Trump before the G7 summit (June 15–17 in Évian-les-Bains, France) and to demonstrate to the world that Russia can continue waging war despite international talks.
Klochko also pointed to the reaction of European partners. While they strongly condemned the attack on Kyiv, particularly on the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, for Europe the war in Ukraine is primarily a matter of its own security, not Ukraine’s security. Aid to Kyiv is substantial, but Europe pursues different strategic goals.
Source: 24tv.ua
