Trump’s Ukraine-Russia Peace Push: A Rocky Ride Through Confusion and Complexity
After a marathon two-hour call with Vladimir Putin on Monday, Donald Trump dropped a surprising admission on social media: Only Russia and Ukraine should be involved in talks to end their conflict, because “they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.” Now, this sounds unusual coming from Trump, a president who usually claims to have the upper hand on any topic he discusses. This candid confession of “not knowing enough” has stirred a new, uncertain chapter in the already tangled peace process.
Why Trump’s Call with Putin Was Unlike Anything We’ve Seen
Here’s the kicker: Trump, for all his bravado, seemed to step back and basically say, “Hey, this is their fight. We outsiders don’t really have the full picture.” That kind of humility is rare in his style, especially when it comes to geopolitics. Instead of asserting dominance, he opened the door for Russia and Ukraine to handle things themselves — no U.S. heavy-handedness.
But why would Trump take this approach? One key factor might be how little he actually knows about the intricate realities on the ground. Russian President Vladimir Putin has a well-known tactic of overwhelming conversation partners with a flood of history lessons, cherry-picked facts, and long-winded narratives that confuse and tire them out. And, frankly, Trump’s team hasn’t been able to match Putin’s depth of knowledge on Ukraine — which could be a serious strategic disadvantage.
Putin’s Historical Lectures: A Long Game of Chess
Putin has always leaned heavily on history — especially Russia’s imperial and nationalist narratives — to justify his moves. Before launching the invasion, he gave lengthy lectures about Russia’s centuries-old claims and grievances. For instance, Olaf Scholz, Germany’s Chancellor back then, described a tense and exhausting debate with Putin where the Russian leader went deep into historical justifications for the war. Scholz told TIME, “If politicians start looking at history books to redraw borders, we’ll face endless wars.”
Even Tucker Carlson, who interviewed Putin in 2022, admitted that Putin spoke for about 30 minutes on Russia’s history dating back to the 8th century, which felt more like filibustering than straightforward answers.
But Trump’s Team? Clueless About Ukraine’s Complex Reality
This historical deep-dive approach clashes with the Trump administration’s limited grasp of the Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian diplomats and Western officials say the White House simply hasn’t been well-read on Ukraine’s history or the war’s nuances. One Western official who’s spent time briefing the White House on Ukraine told me, “They’re not really read-in on the background.”
A Ukrainian diplomat was even more blunt, calling the U.S. approach under Trump “messianic,” where Trump’s team acts like they already know everything and don’t want to listen.
This lack of understanding showed in moments like a recent phone call where Trump told European leaders that Ukraine and Russia could start ceasefire talks “immediately.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also on the call, had to correct him — those talks had already started days before in Istanbul. That led to a rare moment of awkward silence. Imagine that — a president confused about where the peace talks actually stood!
Steve Witkoff: The Real Estate Guy in Diplomacy
Trump’s lead envoy for Ukraine and Russia is Steve Witkoff, a real estate tycoon with no diplomatic background. His knowledge gaps are striking. In an interview from March, he couldn’t even clearly name the regions involved in the conflict, stumbling over “Donbas, Crimea... you know, the names.”
This stark contrast to Putin, who lectures his visitors for hours, underlines just how mismatched these negotiations have been. Putin treats these discussions like history lessons; Trump’s envoys struggle to keep up.
Briefing the President: A Tough Job
During Trump’s first term, he rarely read the intelligence briefing books prepared for him. The intelligence community tried to make it easier by condensing key info onto single sheets with visuals. Yet, even after returning to office, Trump only attended about a dozen President’s Daily Brief presentations — far fewer than usual, according to Politico’s analysis from early May.
This lack of engagement puts diplomats in a bind. They try to educate the President and his team, but the effort often hits a wall.
Zelensky’s Frustration and Invitations Ignored
President Zelensky has repeatedly invited Trump and his top aides to visit Ukraine to see the war firsthand — believing that direct exposure could change minds and deepen understanding. But so far, none of them have accepted. In fact, Vice President J.D. Vance turned down an invitation in February, dismissing it as a “propaganda tour.”
Such refusals frustrate career diplomats and officials who want the U.S. to take a more informed and active role.
Ambassador Bridget Brink: Fighting an Uphill Battle
Normally, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv is the frontline source of information. Ambassador Bridget Brink has been in Kyiv for nearly three years, experiencing the war’s brutal realities. But even she struggled to get traction within the White House.
She resigned last month, citing the Trump administration’s policy of pressuring Ukraine — the victim — instead of Russia — the aggressor. “Unfortunately, the policy since the beginning has been to put pressure on the victim,” she wrote in her resignation statement. That’s a pretty blunt critique of how Washington’s handling of the conflict.
What Does This Mean for the Peace Process?
After Trump’s call with Putin, it’s clear the White House’s role in pressuring either side has faded. Trump didn’t threaten Russia with sanctions if they refused a ceasefire, nor did he promise more U.S. involvement.
Instead, he said bluntly, “It’s not our people, it’s not our soldiers. It’s Ukraine and it’s Russia.” In other words, the U.S. is stepping back from trying to broker peace.
The Bottom Line: Peace Is Messier Than Trump Thought
Trump’s peace push has hit a wall because the Ukraine war is way more complex than he or his team expected. History, politics, national pride, and brutal reality collide in a conflict that defies simple solutions.
Key takeaways:
-
Trump admitted only Russia and Ukraine should negotiate peace, signaling a new, hands-off approach.
-
Putin’s long historical lectures overwhelm those less informed, and Trump’s team struggles to keep up.
-
U.S. diplomats and Ukrainian officials have been frustrated by the Trump administration’s limited knowledge and willingness to listen.
-
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, often shows a lack of basic understanding of the conflict’s geography and issues.
-
President Zelensky’s invitations for Trump’s team to visit Ukraine have been declined, limiting U.S. firsthand insight.
-
Ambassador Brink’s resignation highlights internal struggles and misplaced priorities in U.S. policy.
-
After Trump’s call, the U.S. appears ready to let Russia and Ukraine sort it out themselves.
The peace process is far from over, but the Trump administration’s approach — marked by confusion, missed opportunities, and a surprising retreat — has shaped the landscape in ways that could make peace even harder to achieve.
If anything, it’s a stark reminder that in geopolitics, knowing the history, understanding the players, and staying deeply engaged aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re essentials.
Login