ISW revealed what the Kremlin fears after Trump's conversation with Putin.

U.S. President Donald Trump is perceived as stronger than the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, which worries the Kremlin. Information from the Institute for the Study of War revealed that following Trump's conversation with Putin, the Kremlin ordered the media to portray Putin as a strong leader and minimize Trump's presence. In this way, Russians may see Trump as a more active and decisive leader than Putin. Analysts emphasize that this strategy is tied to the Kremlin's fear of losing support among its own populace. The media has been instructed to reduce coverage of Trump while simultaneously showcasing the politicians' conversation as a victory for Putin.

Furthermore, the Kremlin instructed Russian media to adjust public expectations regarding negotiations to avoid creating overly optimistic scenarios. Thus, the Kremlin aims to alter the perception of Trump among the Russian public to emphasize Putin's strength and activity. Importantly, Trump and Zelensky discussed peace negotiations with Russia.