Donald Trump has once again bent over backward to throw a lifeline to Vladimir Putin. This time, he’s dangling the promise of “unlimited prosperity” for Russia—yes, the same Russia currently embroiled in a bloody and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Russia, the instigator of a catastrophic war that has displaced millions, destroyed Ukrainian cities, and triggered a global food and energy crisis, is being flattered and enticed by Trump with promises of economic glory. Forget the fact that Ukraine continues to fight tooth and nail to defend its sovereignty—Trump’s focus seems entirely on appeasing Putin, the man who started this mess in the first place. If this isn’t “Russia First,” I don’t know what is.
The call, which Trump predictably labeled “excellent” (has he ever had a merely “good” call?), reportedly came after failed peace talks in Turkey last Friday. Ukrainian negotiators left those discussions frustrated, accusing their Russian counterparts of negotiating in bad faith. Trump’s strategy—if you can call it that—is as transparent as it is shortsighted. His pitch to Russia is simple: end the war, and I’ll shower you with economic rewards. He’s offering “large-scale trade” as if the global community has forgotten that Russia’s economy is currently propped up by oil exports, kleptocratic corruption, and a network of oligarchs who thrive under authoritarian rule.
This isn’t about peace. It’s about Trump’s obsession with positioning himself as the ultimate dealmaker. He’s the guy who thinks every problem, no matter how complex, can be solved with a handshake and a sales pitch. “My whole life is like deals, one big deal,” he reportedly told journalists. Great. But wars aren’t real estate transactions. You can’t just slap a “sold” sticker on Ukraine and call it a day.
If anything, Trump’s actions risk alienating the very nations the U.S. needs to maintain a united front against Russian aggression. Even within his own administration, there are signs of frustration. Vice President JD Vance was dispatched to Europe over the weekend, meeting with Pope Francis and other key figures, including Zelensky, in what appears to be an attempt to clean up Trump’s diplomatic mess. Is this what American leadership looks like in 2025? If so, dictators around the world must be taking notes: Aggression pays, especially when Donald Trump is in the White House.
Published: May 20, 2025 09:50 am