LOS ANGELES (OC).–Russian President Vladimir Putin warned President Donald Trump that supplying NATO with U.S. weapons for use in Ukraine would damage U.S.-Russian relations, something Trump worked hard since taking office to improve. Because Trump’s peace plan with Russia was foiled by Ukraine’s 47-year-old President Volodymyr Zelensky and the European Union, both concerned about future Russian encroachment in Europe. At some point, Europe became concerned about Russian aggression in Europe, confusing matters, since Trump’s top priority was ending the Ukraine War. Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff has talked and met with Putin numerous timez over the last four months trying to come up with a deal to end the three-and-a-half conflict that’s killed thousands of Ukrainians and Russians, not to mentions destroying Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Trump wanted to make clear to Putin since taking office that he would no longer continue former President Joe Biden’s proxy war against the Russian Federation, serving notice to Zelensky that he would not receive a blank check to wage war with the Kremlin. Trump met with Zelensky in the Oval Office Feb. 28, prompting Zelensky to throw a fit when Trump told him continuing to war could start WW II, possibly nuclear war in Europe. From that point on, Zelensky went to the EU, telling them that Trump was not concerned about European security, only wanted to cut a peace deal with Putin that would give away Ukrainian territory lost during over three years of war. Zelensky insisted that Putin end the war and return all of Ukraine’s sovereign land, something Putin refused to do. Trump told Zelensky to cut his losses, trade land for a peace deal.
Putin told Trump that supplying NATO lethal weapons to go to Ukraine to fight the war would seriously damage U.S.-Russian relations. Trump thought initially that his relationship with Putin would get him a peace deal more quickly but realized that Zelensky and the EU wanted no part of any deal that would trade land-for-peace. Putin said supplying U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles would not change the battlefield in Ukraine, only potentially escalate the conflict. Trump thought letting NATO buy the weapons from the U.S. would mitigate any damage to U.S.-Russian relations. But it’s clear that since Trump realized he wouldn’t get a peace deal from Putin, he had to change directions, including finding a way to placate the EU at the same time take a stand on the war. Trump refused to join the EU’s latest sanctions against Moscow but compromised on weapons’ sales.
Speaking at a security conference in the Black Sea city of Sochi, Putin said that the U.S. supplying NATO weapons to go to Ukraine’s defense would set back U.S.-Russian relations. Trump felt annoyed with Putin for not pulling a rabbit out of his hat, not agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire when Zelensky and the EU decided to continue to fight. Trump was left blindsided by the EU, not realizing Zelensky had stabbed him in the back at the Munich Security Conference, telling delegates that Trump could care less about European Security. EU officials led by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer decided they would make no territorial concessions to Putin. Poland and the Baltic States grew worried about Putin seizing their territory that they scrapped any plans Trump had with working out a peace deal.
Trump insulted Putin calling Russia a “paper tiger” because after over three-years of war he couldn’t end the conflict. Putin should know that Trump put his heart-and-soul into peace talks, eventually frustrated by Zelensky and Putin. But, in fairness to Putin, he had no choice but to continue the war once Zelensky and the EU rejected Trump’s peace plan. Showing there’s sensitivity on both sides for Putin and Trump. “We are fighting against the entire bloc of NATO and keep moving, keeping advancing and feel confident and we are a paper tiger, What NATO itself is?” Putin said. “A paper tiger? Go and deal with this paper tiger then,” showing his sensitivity to criticism. Putin knows he has the most hardened, battle-tested military in Europe, maybe the world. Putin knows that Trump did everything possible to end the war but was sabotaged by Zelensky and the EU.
Peace in Ukraine is not longer in Trump’s hands, largely because Putin has encroached on the airspace of Poland and the Baltic States recently. Brussels no longer at this point wants peace in Ukraine because they genuinely fear that Putin has his eyes on more European territory. Putin invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, 2022 because former President Joe Biden was arming Ukraine to the teeth over Kremlin objections. Biden refused to discuss new security arrangements for months before Putin invaded. Now, after over three-years of losses, he’s not about to give up sovereign territory won on the battlefield. So, the idea that Putin would just leave Ukraine without retaining any territory is unacceptable. He said he’s willing to negotiate but not willing to get nothing for his years at war. There’s no need for Trump to insult Putin or Russia, only bring all parties together for peace.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
