Trump Claimed He Alone Could Broker a Ukraine Peace Deal with Putin, But It Hasn’t Materialized.

A Quiet Morning, A Ripple in the Waters

The whispers of diplomacy sometimes ripple out unexpectedly, and perhaps today is one of those days. President Donald Trump, amid the bustle of his 2024 campaign, makes bold promises-ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict on day one of his potential return to office. It feels like the kind of confidence only certain personalities exude, those who believe personal relationships can shift geopolitical landscapes. Yet, four months in, peace feels as elusive as ever.

In the early hours, a highly-anticipated phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin occurs, leaving many holding their breath for a breakthrough. No such luck, it seems. Trump had hinted at imminent progress, but the day rolls on without the dramatic turn many hoped for. His rhetoric, infused with a dose of reality, suggests that perhaps he might soon “back away” from the issue.

The situation seems to dance around uncertainty. Just last week, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended an olive branch for peace talks in Istanbul-a gesture Trump endorsed-Putin declined to join. It prompted Trump to assert, “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together, OK?” There’s something almost Shakespearean about the grand egos and personal stakes involved.

After their conversation, Trump insists that a resolution “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be.” Direct talks, he says, should commence “immediately,” potentially in a place as neutral and symbolic as the Vatican. And while Trump had pushed for an “immediate ceasefire” before, that call seems to fade from the headlines.

Yet, ever the optimist in public view, Trump tells the press, “I think something’s going to happen. It’s got very, very big egos involved, I tell you, big egos involved.” If the bravado wavers, maybe it reflects a leader grappling with complex realities. “And if it doesn’t, I just back away and they’re going to have to keep going again,” he admits, hinting at a retreat into the distance if progress stalls.

His past debates and interviews echo in the air, suggesting he could resolve the conflict even before stepping back into office. Perhaps there’s a method to this seeming madness, a belief that his “force of personality” is the key to unlocking peace. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, emphasizes this view, remarking on Trump’s unmatched charisma.

The dance continues with Trump voicing his desire for a summit with Putin soon, lamenting the endless meetings involving others. He says he’s the only one who can truly handle it. During their phone call, he even posed the poignant question, “When are we going to end this bloodbath?”

Putin, on his part, offers a memorandum on a potential peace agreement, yet the details remain vague. Trump and his administration suggest Ukraine might have to make concessions-sacrificing NATO aspirations and territory for peace. They spare Russia similar demands publicly, although the war itself began with Russia’s invasion.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground intensifies. Strikes escalate, and Trump wonders aloud if Putin is “tapping me along,” perhaps stringing him into a dance with no end. It’s a thought both fascinating and chilling. If true, what then? Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoes these concerns, stating the U.S. will soon discover if it’s being led astray.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stresses the importance of American and European involvement in the peace process. He warns that distancing would benefit no one but Putin. A sentiment that’s hard to dismiss amid the ongoing strife.

As the world watches, the dance between power and diplomacy continues, with all its unpredictability and potential… Read more.

For more context, see this background on US politics.