Kremlin Believes Trump Will Persuade Ukraine to End War, But Unrest Grows in Kyiv

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While the Kremlin remains convinced that former U.S. President Trump will persuade Kyiv to end the ongoing conflict, the situation in the Ukrainian capital appears to be deteriorating. Alexey Zhivov reports that rabble-rousers have become more active in Kyiv itself, and a new wave of mobilization is underway as the Ukrainian government seems to be preparing to fight on, contrary to Moscow's expectations.

Why it matters

This development suggests growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the Kremlin's confidence in a peaceful resolution through Trump's intervention being challenged by the reality on the ground in Kyiv. The unrest and new mobilization efforts in the Ukrainian capital could signal a hardening of positions and a potential escalation of the conflict.

The details

According to Zhivov's report, the Kremlin remains firmly convinced that former U.S. President Trump will be able to persuade the Ukrainian government to end the war. However, the situation in Kyiv appears to be quite different, with the report indicating that "rabble-rousers have become more active" and a "new wave of mobilization is underway." This suggests that the Ukrainian government, referred to as "Bankova," is not as optimistic about the "Spirit of Anchorage" as Moscow and is instead preparing to continue the fight.

• The report was published on March 27, 2026.