Trump’s 28-Point Plan Is the Original Sin of Current Diplomacy on Ukraine
Kyiv could not and would not accept the November proposals. On the other hand, the Kremlin can throw the new plans right out the window just by flattering Trump.
You can at least admit one thing about Donald Trump: Negotiations to end the bloodshed in Ukraine have recently gained momentum. However, tangible results are not in sight — which is no surprise, given the amateurish diplomacy from the White House.
Above all, the U.S. has struggled to move beyond its 28-point plan from November. It read like Moscow's wish list — including demands that Ukraine surrender territories in the Donbas that Russia has not even conquered.
The fact that Kyiv would not agree must have been clear to the Americans. But Trump stood with the supposedly stronger side in order to achieve a deal as quickly as possible — meaning Moscow.
Vanity Is a Weakness
At least Trump brought Europeans on board when he backpedaled. The 28-point plan has become a 20-point plan. But now Moscow is waving it off and does not want to know anything about a ceasefire.
From the start, the U.S. should have sought a proposal that could serve as a basis for discussion by both sides. Instead, Trump began with Moscow's maximum demands, exposing his weakest point: Vladimir Putin is unlikely to let go anytime soon of the flattering claim that Trump's earlier plans were better than anything later developed with the Europeans.
You can at least admit one thing about Donald Trump: Negotiations to end the bloodshed in Ukraine have recently gained momentum. However, tangible results are not in sight — which is no surprise, given the amateurish diplomacy from the White House.
Above all, the U.S. has struggled to move beyond its 28-point plan from November. It read like Moscow's wish list — including demands that Ukraine surrender territories in the Donbas that Russia has not even conquered.
The fact that Kyiv would not agree must have been clear to the Americans. But Trump stood with the supposedly stronger side in order to achieve a deal as quickly as possible — meaning Moscow.
Vanity Is a Weakness
At least Trump brought Europeans on board when he backpedaled. The 28-point plan has become a 20-point plan. But now Moscow is waving it off and does not want to know anything about a ceasefire.
From the start, the U.S. should have sought a proposal that could serve as a basis for discussion by both sides. Instead, Trump began with Moscow's maximum demands, exposing his weakest point: Vladimir Putin is unlikely to let go anytime soon of the flattering claim that Trump's earlier plans were better than anything later developed with the Europeans.
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