LOS ANGELES (OC).–Behind closed doors at the White House with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was anything but happy when Trump said he wants to end the Ukraine War requiring Zelensky to negotiate and compromise to end the war. Trump was blindsided by Zelensky’s resistance to his peace plans, when Zelensky has said publicly that he trusts Trump to negotiate a permanent settlement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky thought Trump would hand him Tomahawk Cruise missiles so Ukraine could continue battling the Kremlin. Trump said a few weeks ago that Zelensky could get back all his land lost in over three-and-half years of war with Russia. But Trump’s point, if Zelensky paid attention, how long and how much cash-and-arms would it take for Zelensky to retrieve his lost land: Maybe never.
Zelensky doesn’t get that Trump wants to end the war, not keep throwing money down a rat hole with minimal chance of success. Trump told Zelensky Feb. 28 to cut his losses, end the war and start rebuilding Ukraine. So when Zelensky went to the oval office Oct. 17, what did he expect? Did he really think Trump would approve Tomahawk Cruise missiles? Why would Trump want to perpetuate more war with the Kremlin, when U.S. foreign policy seeks to establish pragmatic diplomatic relations the Kremlin? If Zelensky had his way, he would wreck U.S.-Russian relations. Certainly giving Zelensky Tomahawk Cruise missiles would have ended U.S.-Russian relations to the time being. Zelensky wants to keep getting cash-and-weapons from the EU to keep the war going. Trump looks at things differently, seeing Zelensky wasting cash and resources on war.
Trump wants Zelensky to get real about ending the war, accepting that Putin will require land swaps of territory he now controls after years of war. What world does Zelensky live in telling him he can get his lost land back when he’s been at war with the Kremlin? Zelensky opted for war Feb. 24, 2022 with the Kremlin with all its consequences, including a loss of sovereign territory. Zelensky thinks the EU will underwrite his war with the Kremlin indefinitely. Trump wants to end the war, spare Ukraine more lives and destruction to its infrastructure, giving Zelensky the best chance to rebuild his country. Zelensky wants the EU to believe that if they give him enough cash-and-arms he will eventually prevail. Trump knows that he’s lost enormous territory over three years of war, lost countless soldiers and destroyed Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Zelensky tells the EU that Putin has Trump under his thumb, sounding more like former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, calling him a “Putin puppet.” EU officials need to tell Zelensky that they won’t underwrite his war with the Kremlin much longer. He needs to actively pursue peace with Russia, even if it involves surrendering territory lost from years of war. When Zelensky meets with Trump he can be sure that he’s getting a straight-shooter, the facts and only the facts. Trump knows that Putin can keep the war going indefinitely, seizing more Ukrainian territory while decimating Ukraine on a daily basis. Zelensky can’t blame Putin for wanting to retain land he’s captured over the last four years. Trump wants Zelensky to see the logic in cutting his losses, ending the war and starting to rebuild Ukraine. Zelensky won’t defeat the Russian Federation.
Zelensky should not be surprised at all the any peace settlement would involve swapping land for peace. When Zelensky decided to let the European Union handle peace plans after the Munich Security Conference, he was led down the garden path. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer were all blowing smoke when they tell Zelensky they would not accept any settlement with Putin that involved surrendering Ukrainian land. Only Trump told Zelensky the truth about what it would take to end the war. Trump isn’t controlled by Putin, he recognizes what happens when you lose a war in terms of land. Zelensky wants to pretend that his Feb. 24, 2022 decision to go to war with the Kremlin has no consequences. But to end the war Zelensky will have to negotiate and compromise on land with Putin.
With or without Zelensky, Trump should go to Budapest to meet with Putin to put the cards on the table about a permanent peace settlement. Zelensky and the EU can either keep the war going or negotiate and compromise for peace. Brussels has a lot to gain ending the Ukraine War, ending sanctions and doing business with natural gas and petroleum for the EU. EU used to buy 25% of its natural gas and oil from Russia, keeping gas prices affordable for European consumers. Ending the war for Russia means ending sanctions and returning the G7 and G20 economy systems providing economy opportunities for the Russian Federation. When it comes to Trump ending the war, he makes good on his key campaign promise to end the war. Democrats and the fake news slam Trump for not delivering on his key campaign promise to end the war, largely blaming Trump.
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.
