Andrew L. Urban
Donald Trump is mistaken in thinking that moderating peace in Ukraine is a matter of striking a deal. His deal-ism doesn’t really cater for that situation, an illegitimate invasion of a sovereign state by a foreign power. That’s the starting point for talks. It’s not two equal parties seeking equally acceptable outcomes.
Talks should begin with “Mr Putin, put down your guns…” and continue with “and withdraw your troops.”
Claiming that Putin wants peace is a gross mischaracterisation: Putin wants the peace of total victory. A victory he does not and can not deserve.
Peace will only come from the barrel of a gun. Not a Russian gun. Putin will not make a deal that Ukraine – and the rest of us – should tolerate.
If only the United Nations was worth the name.