Putin, Trump, and the Elusive “Peace” › Victor Davis Hanson

[mystery-ak]

Putin, Trump, and the Elusive “Peace” › American Greatness
Victor Davis Hanson

At the August 15 Alaska summit, Vladimir Putin performed as expected. He desperately wants an end to Western sanctions, détente with the U.S., and assurances that the U.S. will not impose a disastrous anti-Russian secondary boycott—and, apparently, some additional Ukrainian territory.

Consequently, Putin, in his media synopsis, talked more about restored friendship with a “neighborly” United States under Trump. He scarcely mentioned Ukraine directly—other than to imply to Westerners that he seeks not merely to annex a foreign country, but to reclaim what he views as a former Soviet province with ancient ties to the Russian people.

Trump did not get his ceasefire with Putin. But he quickly pivoted to remind us that the table is set for a supposedly comprehensive peace without first requiring a temporary cessation of arms.

Trump addressed the media more succinctly and with greater discretion than Putin, appearing more optimistic that the Russian-American hostility was thawing. And he views normalization as a necessary step toward comprehensive peace in the weeks to come.

The left lambasted Trump for speaking politely of Putin and vice versa. There was additional criticism of a Fox interview in which Trump mentioned “land swaps” and for his supposed prior naïveté in believing he could obtain a ceasefire with Putin.

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https://amgreatness.com/2025/08/18/putin-trump-and-the-elusive-peace/

[DefiantMassRINO]

Putin wants Ukraine, not peace.  Then he'll want Moldova.

[Timber Rattler]

Putin wants Ukraine, not peace.  Then he'll want Moldova.

Yep.  Ukraine was just the latest victim, after Georgia in 2008.

With that said, I actually appreciate this honest article by Hanson, who I like, even though I disagree with a couple of his points.  It's better than the other ignorant drivel I've been seeing on American Thinker, Real Clear Politics, Hot Air, and The Federalist.

[MeganC]

Putin wants Ukraine, not peace.  Then he'll want Moldova.

Putin wants to reclaim everything the USSR used to have.

Moldova, the Baltics, etc. etc. etc.

[Timber Rattler]

Putin wants to reclaim everything the USSR used to have.

Moldova, the Baltics, etc. etc. etc.

And Alaska too.

[MeganC]

And Alaska too.

True.

[Free Vulcan]

The only way to have peace with Russia is strength, just like we did with the Soviets in the cold war.

1. Russia gets it's main cash flow via oil.
2. Ukrainians have excelled in using drones creatively to take out Russian infrastructure.
3. Threaten Russia that we will supply and help Ukraine build swarms of short and long range drones to take out their oil industry and cut off their cash.
4. We can also threaten to give Ukraine back their nukes for grins and giggles.

I'm not for financial aid to Ukraine, but if done right I could support throwing some money their way if Europe and Ukraine jump in to match. Cut off Russia's oil exports, and the country folds. Why is this so difficult for Western leadership to comprehend?

Russians understand and respect a punch to the face. Give it to them if need be.

[MeganC]

The only way to have peace with Russia is strength, just like we did with the Soviets in the cold war.

1. Russia gets it's main cash flow via oil.
2. Ukrainians have excelled in using drones creatively to take out Russian infrastructure.
3. Threaten Russia that we will supply and help Ukraine build swarms of short and long range drones to take out their oil industry and cut off their cash.
4. We can also threaten to give Ukraine back their nukes for grins and giggles.

I'm not for financial aid to Ukraine, but if done right I could support throwing some money their way if Europe and Ukraine jump in to match. Cut off Russia's oil exports, and the country folds. Why is this so difficult for Western leadership to comprehend?

Russians understand and respect a punch to the face. Give it to them if need be.

1. The Soviets and the Russians are one and the same. There was no renaissance after the USSR collapsed in on itself, it was just a set back for the New Soviet Men who rule the country and who rule it now.

2. Love everything else you posted here. 

[Free Vulcan]

1. The Soviets and the Russians are one and the same. There was no renaissance after the USSR collapsed in on itself, it was just a set back for the New Soviet Men who rule the country and who rule it now.

2. Love everything else you posted here. 

I've never been for Russia, nor am I for Ukraine. I don't care for either country in particular, though Ukraine usually tops in overall likeability.

What I am for is America not going neck deep into another intervention war. Due to Ukraine's ingenuity we have unintendedly found a very slick trick way of getting around the mass casualties of a head on war via new tech.

That's something I can square with. Not bloviating gas bags in Europe and yes Z running around with their self-righteous lecturing sanctimony or pouring money, troops, and equipment down a rat hold that won't do one thing to stop Russia without a ridiculous amount of blood and treasure.

Let's hope someone there has the stones to choke hold Russia mafia style and make them understand, because that's the only thing they understand.

[Fishrrman]

Vulcan fulminates with:
"We can also threaten to give Ukraine back their nukes for grins and giggles."

Seems to me that those weapons were surrendered for a peace guarantee (or something along that line) -- and then were dismantled and the parts disposed of. Were they not...?

[Hoodat]

Vulcan fulminates with:
"We can also threaten to give Ukraine back their nukes for grins and giggles."

Seems to me that those weapons were surrendered for a peace guarantee (or something along that line) -- and then were dismantled and the parts disposed of. Were they not...?

Yes, they were surrendered for a peace 'guarantee' [sic] (which Russia has violated).  The nukes were not dismantled and disposed of.  Instead, they make up part of Russia's current nuclear arsenal.