President Trump is growing frustrated with Ukraine and Europe.

 

Trump during an interview with Politico's Dasha Burns. Politico.

President Trump has expressed frustration with Ukraine and Europe due to a log-jam of diplomacy concerning the Russia-Ukraine war. Politico. Trump said that Zelensky hadn't even read the most recent peace plan and decried Europe's leadership as talkers that don't produce. Trump also said that he believes Russia has the upper hand in the war. European governments are angry that Trump wants an end to the war and a normalization of relations with Russia. They are also probably angry at criticism Trump leveled at their immigration programs, which put the NATO alliance at risk. 

My Comment:

It really blows my mind whenever I read a mainstream news source talking about the Russia Ukraine war. They don't seem to understand even the most basic facts of the war, that Russia is fighting and winning an attritional war where the conquest of territory is not the main objective. The anonymous diplomat quoted in the article saying that Ukraine was not losing was the most laughable thing I have read in a long time. It's just totally detached from reality and if that's really want Europe believes then they are dangerously delusional. 

I share Trump's frustration here. Right now Ukraine is not in a position to demand much of anything, let alone Europe. Indeed, they are in the process of losing three major battles and their manpower and equipment levels are critical. The initial offer that was put on the table is something they should have absolutely jumped on as their bargaining position is never going to be better than it is now. 

But, as I predicted, it appears that Zelensky and Europe are the stumbling blocks for an end to the Ukraine war. Zelensky is absolutely refusing to budge on giving up on territory captured by Russia. From what I understand it's not even the lands in Donbas that Russia hasn't captured, but the territory they have captured that is the sticking issue. It's bizarre, Ukraine is in no position to take back the territory in Donbas, let alone Crimea, but they also refuse to acknowledge that fact. 

I do think that Trump's attempt to pivot to the Western Hemisphere and have better relations with Russia is a wise move and he is generally correct about Europe. I have said for a very long time that Europe has destroyed itself with immigration. America has done a lot of harm to themselves as well, but until very recently, we had mostly stuck to Mexican and Central/South American immigrants, who usually integrate after a generation or two and do end up contributing. Europe has brought in millions of Muslims from Africa and the Middle East, along with a large number of people from the Indian subcontinent. Very few of those folks will ever integrate with Europe, let alone contribute and I really believe that the whole thing is going to end with a massive war/holocaust. It just seems inevitable at this point. Europe just doesn't have a future. 

These out of touch leaders are a major reason why. Like I said with the diplomat quoted above, they are high on their own supply. If they really believe that they are winning the war with Russia, and that immigration is the solution to the European problem, then they truly are lost. 

Of course there are going to be people reading this saying "but wait, Russia is the bad guy" and to that I would say, they aren't any worse than the average European government now. That's not even a defense of Russia, they are bad on things like free speech, elections and gun rights. But what European country can you not say that about now? The UK where they let rapists and murders run amok but throw you in prison for a meme? Germany, which is censoring the entire internet? Don't even get me started on France. The main difference in my eye isn't ethics or morality, all of them are bad. It's the fact that at least Russia has a future. They haven't imported millions of people and in 100 years Russia will still be Russia. I honestly don't see Europe being Europe 10 years down the line, either it will change and survive or it won't, but the status quo is not going to last... 

As for the war in Ukraine, I do think there is still a chance for peace. Supposedly Zelensky is thinking about holding an election, which might be an "out" for Ukraine. Zelensky will of course lose the election, but it's a way of him saving face. I just don't think it will happen in the next month or so. Zelensky is too stubborn and Europe is just insane and that's a bad combination. If/when Zelensky is out of the picture then we might see some moves towards peace. But until then, I think the diplomatic stalemate will continue.