Staff Reports
The usual suspects in legacy media and leftist circles appear to have lost their collective minds over President Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts involving Russia. The reaction to his communications with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could lead one to believe that he was planning an all-expenses-paid trip to Moscow without a return ticket. The firestorm is reminiscent of a toddler’s tantrum when they can’t have their favorite candy; the outrage appears completely unwarranted, considering that this is how diplomacy works.
While the Democrats and their media allies scream that Trump is acting out of turn by speaking to the Russians first, the truth is that it was a strategic move that has its share of historical precedence. Such talks can speed up the conflict’s resolution—an end to the fighting should be the main goal for everyone involved, including those who claim to care most about Ukraine. Trump’s phone calls have sparked discussions that may ultimately lead to a diplomatic breakthrough, but don’t count the critics among those hoping for peace; they’d rather see escalated tensions if it means they can keep bashing Trump.
🇷🇺 Lavrov on the lesson for the West from Putin and Trump:
Judging by the surprise and the stupor caused by the phone talks between Trump and Putin, the West has come to take everything happening in Ukraine and everything the Nazi regime of Zelensky is doing as the norm—that… pic.twitter.com/vFFYTczp7B
— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) February 13, 2025
Among the significant players in this diplomatic drama, the Europeans have decided to play the role of the offended bystanders. French President Emmanuel Macron’s emergency meeting of European leaders was nothing short of a political melodrama, aimed more at maintaining their influence than genuinely contributing to peace talks. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer even suggested potential troop deployments—because nothing says diplomacy like sending in the troops before the negotiations are wrapped up. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration—led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others—continued productive discussions about broader U.S.-Russia relations, which included more than just a one-dimensional focus on Ukraine.
Interestingly, throughout this kerfuffle about who gets to be in the room when critical discussions about peace happen, one can’t help but recall how the Europeans themselves often excluded Russia from their supposedly comprehensive talks. This hypocrisy is deliciously ironic. In a previous summit, they couldn’t seem to get their act together enough to include Russian representatives while loudly proclaiming they alone had the ear of Ukraine. The same leaders who are now crying foul seemed perfectly content to sideline Russia when it suited them.
Despite the alarmist headlines in major news outlets before and after the talks, what was actually discussed went beyond the Ukraine crisis. Issues such as economic cooperation, embassy staffing, and the potential resumption of American corporate interests in Russia were on the table. Critics, clutching their pearls, voiced concerns that America was planning to “sell out” Ukraine—yet the reality is that America’s involvement in these discussions can lead to a stronger bargaining position for Ukraine in the long run. Those who haven’t studied diplomatic history might be surprised to find that such negotiations are often the very first steps that lead to lasting peace.
What this entire episode highlights is that while the world of diplomacy may appear complicated, it is frequently filled with opportunistic theatrics, strategic maneuvering, and, let’s face it, a fair amount of absurdity. With Trump leading the charge, there is an opportunity for diplomacy that can yield results—if only the media and political establishment can look beyond their disdain for him and embrace the broader picture. The long-standing adversarial stance taken by many on the left may turn out to be the biggest roadblock to peace rather than the diplomatic overtures being made by the Trump administration.
