Russian Hardliners Urge Putin to Quit US Talks

Russian nationalist hardliners are calling on President Vladimir Putin to abandon negotiations with the United States and dramatically escalate the war against Ukraine, including by considering the use of tactical nuclear weapons, Reuters reported on Friday, June 26.

According to Reuters, the calls intensified after a series of Ukrainian drone strikes reached Moscow, St. Petersburg and occupied Crimea, fueling anger among pro-war commentators who argue that diplomacy with Washington has failed to produce results favorable to Russia.

Some nationalist bloggers and public figures have urged the Kremlin to abandon US-backed peace efforts altogether and instead seek Ukraine’s complete military defeat.

“What else needs to happen before we start fighting for real? War means victory at any cost,” nationalist businessman Konstantin Malofeyev said after a Ukrainian strike reportedly set fire to an oil refinery near Moscow. He also questioned why Russia was “not using nuclear weapons” developed during the Soviet era.

Others argued that Moscow should emulate Iran’s approach toward the United States and intensify attacks on Ukraine. Nationalist blogger Yuri Baranchik claimed Ukrainian strikes on Moscow “would have been impossible without the go-ahead from Washington” and argued Russia now has “no choice” but to confront the United States more directly.

Kremlin resists pressure

Despite increasingly aggressive rhetoric, Reuters reported that the Kremlin has so far resisted demands to abandon negotiations with Washington.

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Three senior Russian officials told Reuters earlier this week that contacts with the United States had failed to produce meaningful progress and accused Washington of not delivering on proposals discussed during last year’s Putin-Trump summit in Alaska.

At the same time, Putin has avoided publicly endorsing the most extreme proposals advanced by nationalist figures, including calls for nuclear strikes or a broader mobilization.

However, Russia has continued to signal a tougher military approach. The Foreign Ministry previously announced plans for “systematic strikes” on military targets in Kyiv, while the Defense Ministry earlier published the locations of alleged drone manufacturing facilities in several European countries, a move widely interpreted as a warning.

Pressure grows after Ukrainian strikes

Analysts told Reuters that the increasingly aggressive rhetoric reflects growing concern among Russian hardliners about Ukraine’s ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

They also warned that although Putin tightly controls Russia’s political system, nationalist pressure could raise public expectations for a broader military campaign and complicate future decisions on diplomacy.

Putin, however, appeared confident in Russia’s current strategy. Speaking to graduates of Russian military academies this week, he claimed Russian forces were close to capturing Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine and predicted that European political forces seeking better relations with Moscow would eventually gain influence.

Previously Russian independent outlet Verstka reported that Russia is experiencing a sharp decline in military recruitment and that discussions are underway inside the Kremlin about possible new mobilization measures after the September parliamentary elections, although officials insist no final decision has been made.