Trump is now supporting a peace plan that gives Putin virtually everything he wants. In exchange for territorial concessions that the Russians haven’t earned yet, unreciprocated limits on Ukraine’s military, and a commitment to hold new Ukrainian elections in the near future, Trump is offering American security “guarantees” which are vague to the point of meaninglessness, which was undoubtedly what he was trying to accomplish.
Zelensky and the Europeans can’t possibly swallow this proposal, which makes Neville Chamberlain look like a savvy negotiator. Then what? Does Trump walk away from any kind of support for Ukraine–even the kind that makes American arms manufacturers money–and open the door to a complete Russian victory?
The Ukrainians and the Europeans will try to forestall this by slow walking the new proposal rather than outright rejecting it in the belief that Trump will ultimately either lose interest or change his mind. Let’s hope they are successful.