Until Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin was singing the equivalent of Frank Sinatra's song “My Way” in Ukraine. That remains to be seen as President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkov, heads to Moscow this week.
Putin revealed Russia on March 6thNot intendedThey either “give in to anyone” or compromise on future peace negotiations.
That was even Secretary of State Marco Rubio.An agreement has been reachedIn Saudi Arabia, in exchange for US intelligence sharing and reopening security support, together with Ukrainian representatives accepting a 30-day ceasefire proposal by the US.
Russian propagandists and bloggers praise the war I responded negatively Announcement of a ceasefire on social media and radio waves. He retired from the US Navy ADM as a former NATO commander. James Stablidiswarned with X, “Fingers are low in confidence, but low in confidence considering Russia's incompatibility.” Western media It has been reported That Putin will continue to fight rather than compromise.
Last week, Russia Foreign Affairs Public Relations Officer Maria Zakharova declared Russia “rejected the possibility of a negotiated ceasefire.”
So Putin is intended to make it his way and the highway.
Trump seemed to have kept it all in his mind. He apparently succumbed to all Russian demands to bring Putin to the negotiation table, while also turning the screws of Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky.
To date, this includes the US joining RussiaVote againstA resolution by the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia's war against Ukraine.Washington refusedCanada's proposal ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Quebec to establish a task force to monitor sanctions violations by the “shadow fleet” of Russian so-called oil tankers.
Team Trump also inexplicably reflected Russia's demands.Ukraine election.Stop it optionally Against offensive US cyber activityIt's offSharing intelligence with Kyiv.Ukrainian block Accessing satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies – Considering revoking temporary protections for thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the United States
AsRubio jokedOn Monday, what else can the US do to guide Putin to the table, except “providing military aid to the Russians”?
Unfortunately, Trump's actions create damage and provide a window of opportunity to defeat the Ukrainian troops fighting in Russia.Kursk Oblast – Possible to give Putin's military something much neededThe battlefield winspotentially removing negotiation points from any leverage left by Ukraine.
The White House even tried to turn the script over, denounced negotiations that were stuck in Ukraine. Trump said Zelensky “Yes.”Not ready for peaceIf America is involved. “The emotions that many people resonated with his administration and Capitol Hill.
In Team Trump's mind, Zelensky blocked the path to Trump's desired final state in Ukraine. But what is that? Apparently, only a select few in Washington knows the Trump administration's plans.
But if pressure on Ukraine was straightforward, the responsibility now lies with Putin. AsRubio is sharpBefore the meeting in Jeddah, “The Russians will have to do the difficulties to end this.” Zelensky's reward? An invitation to the White House.
The only plan mentioned so far to bring uncooperative Russia to the negotiation table is from Senator Lindsey Graham (Rs.C.). He plans to introduce sanctions on Russia's “banks… and the energy sector.”[s]”We should sanction hell from them, and I have the law to do it next week.”
It's unlikely to work in the short term. Russia is three years after sanctions, which has not diminished its ability to fund and fight the war. Military losses motivate him. Zelensky and his general know how to give to the Russians.
Putin's not punching in his mouth shows that he has no tendency to embrace Ukrainian peace. KremlinReleaseJust hours after the announcement of the ceasefire, three ballistic missiles and 130 drones attacked six different areas of Ukraine, killing at least five people.
Peace was in the eyes of the beholders, and the parties could not separate even further. For Ukraine, that means Russia will halt the attack and others will provide security guarantees. For Russia, it means destroying Ukraine, that is, everything in genocide, completely.
But getting there is becoming more difficult for Putin. Europe is determined to back up Zelensky and his general. newMultilateral AllianceIt is formed in the European capital to provide support to Ukraine.
Brussels is also taking action to protect itself from future Russian invasions. The European Union head of state unanimously approved 800 billion euros.Rearm Europe Plan. ”
France's offer to provide the EU with a nuclear umbrella has gained momentum with the proposal “.Skyshield“No-fly zones will be implemented in western Ukraine.
Additionally, military envoys from over 30 countries will take part in Paris consultations and discuss, according to French military officials on Monday.Creating an international security forceFor Ukraine, “to discourage Russia from launching another attack after the ceasefire in Ukraine comes into effect.”
The solution to Trump's differences with Ukraine — at least for now — has come at an important junction. Shocking the temporary suspension of military aid and Intel sharing, many European countries have begun to view nuclear weapons as the best measure for long-term national security, rather than expecting the US to intervene militarily under Article 5 of NATO.
Hollywood's World War II versionIt's not here yet. But it was approaching danger as Europe felt increasingly abandoned by the Trump administration.
Until Tuesday, Putin had relied on Team Trump, who destroys the current world order.Valeriy Zaluzhnyithe UK ambassador to Ukraine had proposed. But that all changed in New York.
This is not finished yet. Putin is stubborn and he won't easily become a cave. He still believes he owns the highway – and in his mind, the highway leads to Kiev.
Colonel (ret.)Jonathan SweetHe served as the Army Intelligence Auditor for 30 years.Mark TossI write about national security and foreign policy.
