By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Negotiations between Washington and Moscow are underway to secure a deal that would end the war in Ukraine by solidifying Russia’s control over the occupied territories. US and Russian officials are reportedly aiming for an agreement to present at a potential summit between Presidents Trump and Putin, possibly as soon as next week. The US is also actively seeking support for this deal from Ukraine and its European allies, although its acceptance is uncertain. The details of the agreement remain undisclosed at this time.
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US and Russia Plan Truce Deal to Cement Putin’s Gains in Ukraine, and it all feels a bit… familiar, doesn’t it? The idea of a deal, crafted behind closed doors between the US and Russia, with Ukraine seemingly an afterthought, is generating a lot of understandable skepticism. People are questioning the motives, the players involved, and, most importantly, the potential outcomes for Ukraine itself.
Isn’t it the same old song and dance we’ve heard before? Where the core issue of Ukraine’s security, along with the concerns of Europe, are secondary to what the US and Russia can agree on? The narrative often suggests that Trump, in his approach, could be playing the role of the dealmaker, but what is truly being negotiated? What’s the actual gain for the US here, aside from perhaps a political “win” for a particular leader? The suspicion is that this is a strategy driven by personal interests, personal debts to Russia, and the desire to align with Russia against other powers.
It’s truly remarkable that the future of Ukrainian land, security, and sovereignty is being discussed without their participation. This feels like a repeat of history, a throwback to times when powerful nations decided the fate of smaller ones without their input. The notion that the US and Russia can dictate the terms of peace in a war where Ukraine is the one fighting for its existence is incredibly disheartening.
The core issue is Ukraine’s ongoing struggle, not a dispute between the US and Russia. Ukraine is the one enduring the war, and if they aren’t given something tangible, they will continue to fight. The potential outcomes of such a deal are devastating, as the US appears to be moving the goalposts to appease Russia. The focus is on protecting the territory Russia already controls, regardless of Ukraine’s willingness to agree.
The potential for this deal seems to hinge on the belief that the strong can take and the weak must comply. It’s like a terrible repeat of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, where nations were divided without any consideration for the people who live there. The question arises: what exactly does Trump stand to gain by pushing this deal? It looks as though he intends to blame Ukraine for standing in the way, if, and when, they refuse to comply. This has the potential to isolate Ukraine and leave them to face the consequences.
The question of the Ukrainian view is a relevant one. Considering Ukraine isn’t at the table, what is the real plan? People will see this as the US treating an ally poorly. The assumption is that Russia will not stop until it takes all of Ukraine, along with other former Soviet Republics and Poland. This is not about defending territory. It’s about the Russian vision of power and control.
This plan comes at a moment of weakness for Russia. The war has exposed Russia’s military incompetence, dwindling economy, and the brain drain from Moscow. The loss of military equipment and the over one million dead or injured young men are tragic examples of the cost of war. It’s clear that if Russia is allowed to retain its gains, it will simply rebuild its army and invade other countries. Russia should face consequences, and its gains in the last 60 years should be undone.
It is concerning that the US is, once again, not including Ukraine in these discussions. This smacks of a repeat of past actions that rewarded Russia with territory and influence. It’s not a good look. After every meeting with Putin, the US seems to move to a pro-Russia stance. The underlying reality is that Russia will not uphold any agreement made.
The suspicion that Trump is trying to be the one who “made peace” is clear. The feeling is that this is another attempt to appease Putin. The fact is, this isn’t a dispute between America and Russia. This is a dispute between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine has the right to make its own decisions about its future. They should not be forced into a deal that gives away territory and security. This whole plan gives Ukraine a new set of orders. It is simply the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact 2.0.