Many persons have dismissed Pres. Trump’s claim that he can end the Russo-Ukrainian War in 24 hours. Trump was vague about the details, and he was likely exaggerating the speed, which is characteristic of him as a salesman. Though remember, he does have a tendency to see his promises through.
Just as important for Russia, it will cease being a pariah politically and economically.
Trump does not buy into the anti-Putin propaganda that Putin is trying to conquer Europe or the world. This is the traditional song that is bandied about to justify entering into armed hostilities (in this case, the EU). Admittedly, Putin does have a Sudetenland mentality and has wailed about Russians living abroad in “hostile” countries. He would also like to see Belarus and Ukraine reabsorbed into Mother Russia (just prior to invading Ukraine, he gave a rambling historical lecture on why in his mind Ukraine is an artificially created state that should not exist).
Both Belarus and Ukraine have made it clear that it’s not going to happen. Putin was even deluded into thinking that Ukrainians would welcome the Russians with open arms. By now, he has turned the page on that dream. He is, after all, a realist (if nothing else, the lack of Chinese support opened his eyes).
There has been a lot of propaganda from both sides (or by proxy) that one side or the other is running out of manpower, and that each side is playing for time — Europe and America will get tired of supporting Ukraine and will get distracted by the next shiny object, or, conversely, Putin will be overthrown because of the meatgrinder the war has become or his whole army will defect.
Independent, Non-NATO Ukraine
The deal that Trump would probably propose is going to be a logical one, and it would be one where both parties can claim victory, thereby saving face.
First, there would be a ceasefire while negotiations take place. (As we went to press Dec. 8, Trump is reported to have called for a ceasefire after a meeting with Ukrai...
No hoodwinking or hornswoggling here.
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