The Kremlin has been busy promoting the image of overwhelming Russian military power ahead of an expected phone call between Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) say this campaign of exaggeration is designed to distract both domestic and foreign audiences from Russia’s deepening military and economic troubles.
On Sunday, state journalist Pavel Zarubin released snippets of what he called a new interview with the Russian dictator. In it, Putin asserts that Russia boasts sufficient troops and equipment to force Ukraine to accept terms favourable to Moscow. According to the ISW, these clips are actually unaired footage from the Kremlin’s documentary “Russia. Kremlin. Putin. 25 years,” first published on 4 May. The decision to hold back the release until 18 May, just days before the Trump call, suggests a deliberate effort to shape perceptions.
ISW analysts argue that the Kremlin hopes to impress NATO capitals and fortify domestic morale by flaunting supposed military readiness. In reality, Russian forces are suffering heavy casualties on the battlefield at rates unsustainable over the medium term. This looming crisis could force Putin into difficult choices as early as 2026.
The forthcoming call with Trump, scheduled for 19 June, has prompted concern in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met recently with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome, warning them that Russia’s negotiating positions remain unrealistic and aimed at preserving the Kremlin’s narrative rather than securing peace.
