Staff Reports
Vladimir Putin has managed to kick off the holiday season with an invitation that sounds all too familiar: he’s ready to chat with President-elect Donald Trump about putting an end to the messy situation in Ukraine. It seems the Russian leader has been practicing his diplomatic skills on the long, lonely road of the past four years, and now he’s eager to pick up the phone. One can almost hear the sound of a Kremlin “Happy Holidays” card arriving in Mar-a-Lago.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s own President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to be on the same page, albeit with a notable level of skepticism befitting someone in his position. He harbors hopes that Trump’s return to political power could somehow help untangle the mess inflicted upon his country, but he’s also wary. After all, nothing puts a damper on negotiations quite like an overconfident Putin regrouping behind a temporary ceasefire. It’s like trusting a cat to suddenly become a vegetarian—everyone knows better.
Putin’s recent annual press conference might as well have been marked with sticky notes saying “Call Trump.” He indicated that he hasn’t heard from Trump in years, which is a bit like a NASCAR fan saying they haven’t seen a good race in a long time. He was keen to remind the world that he is absolutely, positively ready for discussions anytime, though without providing a timeline—because what’s a little ongoing warfare without a little drama?
The Russian leader waxed poetic about past triumphs on the battlefield, apparently believing that heavy artillery and territorial gains qualify as a solid basis for negotiation. In his view, everything is just peachy, and it’s the American media that lives in constant dread of a resurgent Russia. Meanwhile, one can only imagine Putin chuckling at the thought of “negotiations and compromises,” like a kid in a candy store pondering which flavor to choose while mulling over his next military strategy.
Could Trump Broker a Peace Deal Between Putin and Zelensky? Here's What We Know So Far.
https://t.co/ff8jI8qWMX— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 19, 2024
On the flip side of the coin, Zelensky isn’t shy about his desire for Trump’s support, viewing him as a “strong man.” It’s a sentiment that likely resonates with many in the conservative camp back home. However, the Ukrainian president also isn’t blind to the potential pitfalls of giving Putin an inch. His concerns are straightforward: Ukraine considers any ceasefire a risky proposition when it could just end up allowing Russia to scheme and plan its next move. It’s like letting a leech take a quick nap on your arm—everyone knows it will just wake up hungry again.
As this geopolitical chess match unfolds, Trump’s promise during the campaign trail to wrap this war up before ever stepping foot in the Oval Office serves as an intriguing agenda item. If he can manage to drive a hard bargain while simultaneously keeping Putin on his toes, then maybe, just maybe, there will be a peaceful conclusion that doesn’t resemble one side calling in sick while the other throws a party. And if nothing else, the world will be watching, popcorn in hand, for the next act in this international drama.
