After declaring that he has delivered “everlasting peace” in the Middle East, former U.S. President Donald Trump now claims he can end the war in Ukraine a task many believe is nearly impossible.
On Monday, while global attention was fixed on the Middle East, Trump stood before Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, confidently stating that his envoy, real estate magnate Steve Witkoff, “is going to get it done.” He boasted that after settling “eight wars in eight months,” his focus is now on “bringing Putin in from the cold.”
But unlike the diplomatic deals Trump claims to have struck in the Middle East, resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict is an entirely different game.
A War That Won’t Be Won by Words Alone
Trump insists that ending the war between Hamas and Israel was harder than achieving peace in Ukraine a claim met with skepticism in both Washington and Kyiv. Moscow, meanwhile, reportedly reacted with amusement. Russian officials view Trump’s promise as political theater rather than a serious diplomatic breakthrough.
For two decades, Vladimir Putin has held Russia in an iron grip, outmaneuvering the West at nearly every turn. Trump has tried flattery, economic sanctions, and tough talk to influence him, but none have worked. The only remaining “card” would be direct military involvement something neither Trump nor the American public appears willing to risk.
Putin Is No Netanyahu
Trump’s Middle East peace push relied on U.S. leverage over Israel, a close American ally that depends on U.S. weapons and funding. But in Eastern Europe, the situation is reversed. Putin is no friend of Washington, and Russia remains a vital global supplier of oil and gas.
Even if the United States were to arm Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles as Trump has hinted such a move could dangerously escalate the conflict. Hitting targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow, would invite an unpredictable and potentially catastrophic response.
The China Factor
Another major obstacle lies in China. Beijing and Moscow have drawn closer than ever, united by a shared goal of countering U.S. influence. Their “no limits” partnership means any attempt to isolate Russia diplomatically or economically will face serious pushback from China a reality Trump can’t simply negotiate away.
Trump’s Hardest Test Yet
While Trump celebrates his so-called “Middle East peace deal,” experts warn that his claim to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours is unrealistic. Unlike Israel, Russia will not bend to U.S. persuasion or threats of sanctions.
If Trump truly believes he can achieve peace between Moscow and Kyiv, he’s stepping into a geopolitical minefield that has defeated even the most seasoned diplomats.
The bottom line: bringing “everlasting peace” to the Middle East was a photo-op. Bringing real peace to Ukraine could be an impossible mission even for Donald Trump.
I would tend to agree with that analysis. The only slim ray of hope to end Russian aggression against Ukraine is a scenario of some sort of repeat of the events in Russia after 1989 and into the 1990s, i.e. revolt against Putin's rule in some form or other from the grassroots and/or people of influence in the country. I think the dark side of this is that Vladimir Putin would not be reluctant to copy the methods of Ayatollah Khamenei and the IRGC in Iran, Hamas in Gaza or Bashir Assad in Syria to suppress his people (for whom he has absolutely no concern). He cannot be dealt with (in the Trumpian sense; no dictator can be "dealt with"). He must be neutralised and that can only be done from within Russia. Good luck to those who would try.
ReplyDelete