Negotiations, Again

[ndrosen]

So suppose that Trump and Putin manage to negotiate and end to the Russian-Ukrainian war on some set of terms, and impose this unsatisfactory peace on Ukraine. One obvious problem is that Putin is utterly untrustworthy, and, whatever he says, would be likely to invade what would remain of Ukraine as soon as he saw an advantage in doing so. He might launch another full-scale invasion; he might have his forces fire a few shells, conduct a few drone strikes, or fail to carry out measures which Russia had pledged to undertake.

What then? Would Trump’s America come to Ukraine’s defense, or even resume sanctions against Russia? Does Trump so much as understand that Putin is utterly perfidious? What would be the consequences for Ukraine, and for whatever remains of American honor? Would Trump raise the issue at the negotiating table, and demand that Putin address it, before agreeing to any supposed peace treaty?

I find it hard to be cheerful about the prospects.

Comments

[warriorsavant]

Trump dealing with Putin would be not unlike Stalin dealing with Hitler - shock that the other party betrayed the pact first. Trump is so convinced of his conman, uh negotiating skills, he can't conceive of getting out-smarted, and/or the other party just ignoring the agreement. In fact, when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons, the borders were guaranteed by, among others, Russia and the US. When Russia took over the Crimea, the US did nothing.

[ndrosen]

You said it better than I did.

[thewayne]

There's no way a solution can be negotiated without Ukraine being at the table. A farce to think otherwise.