Trump’s Vanity Will Be Crucial Factor in Ukraine War
Published in Der Standard
(Austria) on 10 August 2025
by Manuela Honsig-Erlenburg (link to
original)
There's a significant risk that Trump might single handedly negotiate a “pseudo-peace” over the heads of Ukraine and Europe, which would only bring Putin closer to his war aims.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on Aug. 15 to discuss the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not expected to attend. And European representatives are certain not to.
That doesn't seem to bother Putin and Trump much. Both are aware that the U.S. president has much more leverage against Ukraine than against Russia. Ukraine's defense cannot hold without U.S. arms supplies and intelligence.
The Europeans are also aware of this. This is one of the reasons why the recent statement from France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the EU was relatively restrained and diplomatic. Although it emphasizes that there can be no solution without Ukraine, the statement also acknowledges that Putin may only agree to a ceasefire if the current front lines are frozen.
Risk of a ‘Pseudo-Peace’
In any case, there's a significant risk that Trump might single handedly negotiate a “pseudo-peace” over the heads of Ukraine and Europe, which would only bring Putin closer to his war objectives.
The European “coalition of the willing” can maintain its sanctions against Moscow and military support for Ukraine. However, Trump's vanity is likely to be the most promising lever. Trump must be made to realize that a pseudo-peace only makes him a weak puppet.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on Aug. 15 to discuss the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not expected to attend. And European representatives are certain not to.
That doesn't seem to bother Putin and Trump much. Both are aware that the U.S. president has much more leverage against Ukraine than against Russia. Ukraine's defense cannot hold without U.S. arms supplies and intelligence.
The Europeans are also aware of this. This is one of the reasons why the recent statement from France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the EU was relatively restrained and diplomatic. Although it emphasizes that there can be no solution without Ukraine, the statement also acknowledges that Putin may only agree to a ceasefire if the current front lines are frozen.
Risk of a ‘Pseudo-Peace’
In any case, there's a significant risk that Trump might single handedly negotiate a “pseudo-peace” over the heads of Ukraine and Europe, which would only bring Putin closer to his war objectives.
The European “coalition of the willing” can maintain its sanctions against Moscow and military support for Ukraine. However, Trump's vanity is likely to be the most promising lever. Trump must be made to realize that a pseudo-peace only makes him a weak puppet.
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