Can Trump Keep Zelenskyy In Line?

Donald Trump is on the brink of taking his most significant action in the young administration to resolve all existing conflicts among nations. Having signed six peace treaties since January 20 and solidifying himself as the most successful peacetime President in history, the Russia-Ukraine battle remains unresolved. That status may change as early as this week. Trump will be meeting this week with Vladimir Putin to discuss the terms of a permanent ceasefire and end of the worst European conflict since World War II, fulfilling one of his biggest campaign promises. It is unclear at this time whether Trump would invite Zelenskyy to the summit, which will be held in Alaska. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy won backing from Europe and NATO on Sunday as he rallied diplomatic support ahead of a Russia-U.S. summit. Trump may view Zelenskyy’s presence as more of an impediment to peace than a positive factor in ending the war. Zelenskyy has shown in the past that he loves the spotlight, but that his desire for peace is not pure and genuine. If Trump is able to close the deal with Putin, Zelenskyy had better be ready to sign off on it.

A new Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report estimates approximately 1.4 million total military casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Russian losses nearing one million (around 250,000 killed) and Ukrainian losses around 400,000 (60,000-100,000 killed). There have also been over 1,100 casualties suffered by North Korean troops sent to the conflict to bolster Russian troops. Troops are not the only casualties of this senseless conflict. Civilian casualties are difficult to measure. Of course, there are the deaths and injuries, but the loss of infrastructure and the displacement of people from Ukraine may never be understood or calculated. Entire cities and regions have been reduced to rubble, and it will take billions of dollars to rebuild Ukraine, but no amount of money will replace the human or cultural losses.

Marco Rubio, who has proven to be the perfect pick for Secretary of State and every other role Trump has assigned him, along with Trump’s chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, have been working tirelessly to seal the peace deals that Trump has already signed. Rubio has said that when Russia and Ukraine are about 80% of the way to an agreement to end the war, Trump would come in to “close the deal.” Trump would not be exposing himself to this summit with Putin if a deal is not imminent. Zelenskyy must not be allowed to disrupt the negotiations.

Putin may have started this war, but both he and Zelenskyy, along with a futile effort by Biden’s team to end it, are responsible for it going on this long. The weekly loss of life on both sides is enormous and will continue until both sides lay down their weapons and agree to live in peace. It may not be fair, but Ukraine will probably surrender some of its land to Russia, but it is devastated land at this point and a small price to pay to regain peace and sovereignty. I do not think Trump should allow Zelenskyy anywhere near Alaska unless he is prepared to do what is necessary for lasting peace. And, for God’s sake, buy him a suit.