Trump Got Himself a Dilemma in Talking to Putin
The US president could end the war in Ukraine, but only by committing American troops. Or he could leave it to the Europeans, but without a lasting peace.
Back soon for the sequel.
Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump did not end the Russian war against Ukraine within 24 hours, as he had promised during his presidential campaign. Then again, as usual, we probably weren’t supposed to take him literally (or was it seriously?). Now, though, he seems to be gearing up to get the job done. But he is about to crash into a contradiction of his own making. It’s a dilemma that may doom his efforts.
In a phone call this week, Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed to begin talks to end the shooting. That followed Russia’s release of an American who has been unjustly incarcerated there, prompting Trump to comment that “there’s goodwill, in terms of the war.”