At the Alaska summit, Trump has one game – call Putin a trick

the The upcoming Alaska summit Among the presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is another victory in the hand of the Russian dictator-but when they sit at the negotiating table on Friday, it is Trump who holds the cards.

With the deadline for Trump’s Washing Peace, Putin The summit promisedIt seems to avoid any consequences again Ignore a schedule for the United States.

Putin expected that Trump would tend at every opportunity, while repeating his lies in the history of Ukraine and his Canberg, which Russia forced into his “private military operation”.

Putin does not allow facts to stand on his way.

will According to Trump “The ceasefire” is in exchange for part of eastern Ukraine and the global recognition of Russia’s regional demands.

For an expert negotiator like Trump, this should be unmatched.

First, after more than three years of fighting Russia, it does not control all eastern Ukraine-and in the past two years of the uneven offensive war, Moscow has gained less than 2 % of Ukraine’s lands.

Agreement on his regional demands will hand over Putin’s largest victory in the war.

Second, as President Folodimir Zellinski explained, most Ukrainians oppose huge regional concessions, and his nation’s constitution prevents him from agreeing to such a proposal without a national referendum.

At the same time, the Russian economy and the army Sprain under the strain From the war – the nation cannot simply continue fighting so long for a longer period.

The conflict has accelerated greatly in the Russian Demographic disaster, with more than two million Russians, wounded or fleeing from the country.

In short, Putin cannot continue this war militarily, economically or demographic, which puts him in a very weak position to negotiate.

Finally, there is a greater reason for Trump to be careful not to fall into the Putin’s trap for a ceasefire: such an agreement does not work unless both sides honor him.

Putin says Russia will adopt a law prohibiting future attacks on Ukraine in the event of a deal. But Putin broke many international laws and treaties when he attacked Ukraine in the first place.

The rule of law is not present in Russia today. Putin is the only law.

But while Putin is a quarter of a century in power, it is without a doubt that it cannot be trusted-he also knows that he cannot continue to invade him.

So when he finally meets Trump, after rejecting all peace proposals over the past six months, he will operate magic.

Initially, every 25 -year -old American president at the beginning, through Putin’s action, was afflicted, believing that he could trust him and hope for the best.

Former managers, President George W. Bush, Shahir I looked at Putin’s eyes And I think he saw a man who could work with him.

President Barack Obama and Foreign Minister Hillary Clinton He announced “reset” Russian -American relations.

But all of them eventually realized that Putin is a fatal thug that runs the mafia state, opposing almost everything – including democracy and our basic freedoms in speech, press, association and religion.

Even the closest allies of Russia They cannot trust the Autocrat. In recent months, when the dictator of Syria has defended Ayatollah’s brutal aid, Putin said, “NYET”.

He used their regulations for decades to assume a problem in the United States and our allies. But he abandoned them, given his weak position in Ukraine.

We in the West cannot deceive ourselves. Vladimir Putin does not care about us or our values.

He just wants to achieve his self-assigned fate: the Greater Russia-and Ukraine reunited the next step in his endeavor.

We need to believe what Putin says about himself and his chosen goals, and not short -term promises that he may provide to buy time for his great mission.

Trump, the main negotiator, needs to call Putin a trick.

The Russian economy and population decreases quickly. that it The army has lost More than a million soldiers or wounded, more than 4000 tanks and about 300 military aircraft.

Putin needs a bad ceasefire.

Trump can use Putin’s weak position to bring a permanent peace to Ukraine by imposing a Deal with real security guarantees.

Putin has never attacked the NATO nation – for a good reason.

Give Ukraine NATO security guaranteesThe ceasefire with NATO shoes on the floor, and the massacre will end.

It is time to end Russia’s war on Ukraine – with Trump updating from Ronald Reagan’s doctrine of peace through power.

Gregory W. Slaiteon is a former senior American diplomat, chairman of the Board of Directors of Sallaton Capital and author of “Pictures of Ukraine is a nation in the war”.