Media: Putin confident in full control over four Ukrainian regions by the end of 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin is convinced that by the end of 2025, Russian troops will be able to completely take control of four regions of Ukraine, which the Kremlin has already declared part of Russia.

This is reported by the authoritative publication Bloomberg, citing sources close to the Russian leadership.

According to the publication, the Russian leader's confidence significantly influences his negotiating position ahead of an important phone call with US President Donald Trump. Experts note that in the current situation, Putin is unlikely to make any significant concessions to the American side.

"The Kremlin believes it has a 'strong hand' in this geopolitical game," Bloomberg notes, referring to a person familiar with the Russian president's position. This concerns the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

European leaders express serious concern that the head of the White House may try to impose a conflict settlement on Moscow's terms. Last Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with Trump, trying to convey to him that "Putin is leading him by the nose." According to a high-ranking European official, they hope the American leader will realize the risks of imposing an unfavorable deal on Kyiv.

The American leader, who returned to the White House after winning the election, has repeatedly stated his intention to quickly end the conflict in Ukraine. He supported the idea of direct dialogue with Putin to conclude some kind of "deal." However, as Bloomberg notes, the Russian president does not demonstrate readiness to end military operations on terms acceptable to the West and Kyiv.

Two other sources close to the Kremlin claim that despite public rhetoric about a possible cessation of hostilities, the Russian president is prepared for a protracted war if necessary to achieve his strategic goals. Moreover, he optimistically assesses his ability to withstand further US sanctions.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also participated in Friday's phone call with Trump and European leaders, was counting on the introduction of new sanctions against Russia for violating the ceasefire announced on May 12. However, as the publication notes, this never happened, causing additional concern in Kyiv.