Staff Reports
Donald Trump recently took to Truth Social to share details of a noteworthy phone call he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The former president touted the conversation as lengthy and “highly productive,” tackling issues ranging from Ukraine to energy, artificial intelligence, and even the dollar’s dominance. In what could only be described as a charm offensive, Trump appeared eager to find common ground with Putin, reminiscing about the “successful” collaboration during World War II. Apparently, nostalgia for the good old days has become a key talking point in international diplomacy.
In this high-stakes dialogue, Trump expressed concern about the death toll in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict—though it may only reach into the hundreds of thousands, he insists that stopping the violence is paramount. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s insistence on complete Russian withdrawal from territories it claims—like Crimea—is as likely to happen as a snowstorm in July. Anyone with a functioning brain can see that Putin isn’t the type to hand over territory unless he’s defeated on the battlefield, which, given the current situation, isn’t happening anytime soon.
On the diplomatic front, NATO has its own red tape to deal with, refusing to welcome nations that have unresolved disputes like Ukraine. Countries such as Georgia and Moldova have been left out in the cold too, as NATO members prefer a club that represents peace, not brewing conflicts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently made it clear that aiming for Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is just a pipe dream that will only drag out the suffering and chaos. It’s refreshing to see someone in Washington finally acknowledge that playing nice with Putin—who’s basically a bully wearing a nuclear badge—isn’t the way to protect the interests of free nations.
In Trump’s follow-up communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he indicated he’d assembled a crack team of advisors, including Marco Rubio and John Ratcliffe, to lead negotiations. The paper shuffling may impress some, but given that the previous administration managed to keep peace in the region, one has to wonder if these particular phone calls will amount to anything.
So Donald Trump Just Got Off the Phone With Vladimir Putin…https://t.co/2RwQydwb3h
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) February 12, 2025
Let’s not pretend that either side is saintly here. While Trump recognizes that Putin’s reputation as a thug is well-earned, fitting him with a villain’s cape doesn’t exactly pave the way for meaningful negotiations. The previous administration understood how to handle such characters; just labeling someone a “Hitler” doesn’t win you any diplomatic points or settle international disputes. Instead, it turns the dialogue into a childish shouting match where no real solutions are found.
The geopolitical chessboard has shifted dramatically since 2022, and both Ukraine and Russia find themselves strained. More aggression and less rationale inevitably leads to a demand for peace, and if Trump’s understanding of world affairs gets anyone talking again, it may just be what’s needed. The time to roll up the sleeves and find a lasting solution is now—before a foolish misstep sends everyone scrambling for cover.
