Donald TrumpƵs recent public meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not a genuine diplomatic effort; it was a carefully staged performance. In front of national television cameras, Trump appeared to be working from a prepared script designed to cast Zelenskyy as the villain, the man who doesnƵt want peace. But what kind of peace are we really talking about? If Trump is referring to Vladimir PutinƵs version of peace, where Ukraine surrenders a fifth of its territory to Russia, then, of course, Zelenskyy cannot and should not accept it.
TrumpƵs promise that he can end the war in Ƶone dayƵ was always an empty boast. The only way he could possibly do that is by forcing Ukraine into total capitulation. That isnƵt diplomacy; itƵs appeasement. And it isnƵt peace; itƵs submission to authoritarian aggression. Trump knows this. He understands that the war cannot be resolved so easily, but he also understands the importance of political optics. That is why this public meeting was never about solving the crisis; it was about setting up an excuse for his inevitable failure.
By placing Zelenskyy in a no-win situation, Trump is attempting to craft a narrative where he can shift blame when his promise of peace inevitably collapses. When Ukraine refuses to surrender, he will turn to his base and say, ƵI tried, but Zelenskyy wouldnƵt cooperate.Ƶ In doing so, he hopes to justify inaction, a withdrawal of support for Ukraine, and a broader retreat from AmericaƵs role on the world stage.
This strategy plays directly into PutinƵs hands. The Russian leader has long sought to divide the West and weaken American influence. TrumpƵs approach does exactly that; it signals to allies that the United States cannot be relied upon, that its commitments are conditional, and that its leadership is transactional. No foreign country will ever fully trust the U.S. again if this is the new standard of diplomacy. Why should they? If the American position is dictated by the whims of one man rather than by principle, then alliances become meaningless.
TrumpƵs belief in his own power is at the heart of this performance. He sees himself as a dealmaker so strong that the world will bend to his will. But international diplomacy doesnƵt work that way. Conflicts are not resolved through brute force negotiations, especially not when one side has suffered immense destruction and loss at the hands of an invading power. Ukraine is not in a position to make concessions that would legitimize RussiaƵs land grab, nor should it be expected to do so.
Yet, TrumpƵs base will likely accept this narrative. Many of his supporters already view Ukraine as an inconvenience rather than an ally, and Trump is feeding that sentiment. By framing Zelenskyy as unwilling to make peace, he primes his audience to accept that Ukraine should be abandoned. This is not just a betrayal of Ukraine, it is a betrayal of AmericaƵs role in upholding global stability.
What happens when TrumpƵs promised peace doesnƵt materialize? The answer is simple: he will blame everyone but himself. He will claim the deep state sabotaged him, that NATO undermined him, that Zelenskyy was ungrateful. The reality, however, is that TrumpƵs approach to diplomacy is a dangerous mix of arrogance and ignorance. His showmanship may work in the political arena, but it is no substitute for real leadership on the world stage.
The stakes are too high for this kind of reckless grandstanding. If the United States walks away from Ukraine, it will embolden not only Russia but every authoritarian regime looking to expand its influence. The damage to AmericaƵs credibility will be lasting, and the consequences will extend far beyond Eastern Europe.
TrumpƵs public meeting with Zelenskyy was not about peace; it was about politics. It was about setting the stage for a narrative where Trump can wash his hands of the conflict and blame others when his promise of a one-day peace proves to be a farce. The world will not bow to TrumpƵs will, and when it doesnƵt, he will do what he always does: deflect, deny, and deceive. The real danger is that too many people will believe him.
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