Kremlin officials continue to push the idea that Russia is in allegedly direct confrontation with the West. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 28 July that this narrative is used to maintain domestic support for the war in Ukraine and “future Russian aggression against NATO.”

According to ISW, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a Russian youth forum on 28 July that “Russia is fighting alone against the entire West… for the first time in history” and that the country “must rely on [itself].” He said Russia has “no allies on the battlefield,” unlike during past world wars.

The report pointed out that these claims ignore ongoing military and economic support from North Korea, Iran, and China.

Russia portrays itself as alone, while support from allies says otherwise

ISW noted that North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and personnel. It added that Iran’s Shahed drones have been used in repeated Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and that Iran’s help enabled Russia to produce its own versions. The report also stated that China helps Russia evade sanctions and provides critical components and microelectronics for its weapons.

Use of propaganda

Lavrov also claimed Russia had “no alternative” to launching its war of aggression, repeating demands that Ukraine must not join NATO, NATO must stop expanding, and that Russia’s claimed annexations of Ukrainian territory must be recognized.

“Putin is unlikely to make any concessions in his war aims unless he is forced to do so by significant Ukrainian battlefield victories, as any negotiated end to the war that does not achieve all of Putin’s objectives would call into question the success, and, potentially, wisdom of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine,” ISW concluded.

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes Ukraine’s collapse is near, according to The New York Times. The paper reports that this belief is driving a sharp escalation in Russia’s war. Despite multiple calls with US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin continues to press forward. Russian insiders told NYT that Moscow expects Ukraine’s defenses to fall and sees no reason to compromise.

Putin rejects any pause, believing Ukraine’s collapse is near

Two people close to the Kremlin told NYT that Putin expects Ukraine’s front lines to fail within months. They said the Russian president views any halt in fighting as unacceptable unless Ukraine agrees to sweeping concessions.

“He will not sacrifice his goals in Ukraine for the sake of improving relations with Trump,” said Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

Putin believes he sees momentum on the battlefield and believes time favors Moscow. He continues to press for Ukrainian capitulation rather than any negotiated freeze of his was in Ukraine.

Trump’s personal diplomacy fails to slow Moscow’s offensive

Since February, Trump has spoken with Putin by phone six times. Russia and Ukraine also held two rounds of direct talks in Istanbul.

On 9 July 2025, Trump voiced his anger:

“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin,” he told reporters. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

Despite the breakdown, Putin continued to praise Trump. At a 27 June press conference in Belarus, he called him “a courageous man.” Referring to Trump’s frustration, Putin added:

“That’s how it is. Real life is always more complicated than the idea of it.”

Putin reiterates goals: NATO rollback, Ukraine neutrality, legal changes

The Kremlin’s war aims now go far beyond territorial control. Putin demands that NATO halt eastward expansion and remove infrastructure from Eastern Europe. He also wants Ukraine to adopt a neutral status and reduce the size of its military. Another key demand: alleged protection for the Russian language in Ukrainian law.

Most significantly, Putin insists Ukraine withdraw all forces from its territory claimed by Russia. That condition continues to block any potential cease-fire.

Kremlin sees no value in compromise — yet

For Putin, the re-opening of direct contact with Trump marked a diplomatic breakthrough after years of Biden-era isolation.

Still, the Kremlin is frustrated that Trump refuses to separate peace in Ukraine from broader US-Russia ties. That approach has stalled Moscow’s hopes of striking a deal quickly, NYT says.