The Washington Post: Donald Trump is sabotaging his own peace plan for Ukraine

US President Donald Trump is undermining his own idea of a sustainable and lasting peace in Ukraine. This view is expressed in an article by The Washington Post columnist Lee Hochstader, who notes that Trump is unwilling to send additional aid to Ukraine, let alone American troops, and he also does not want Ukraine to join NATO.

As for monitoring a possible ceasefire and ensuring Ukraine’s security – without which the ceasefire would be meaningless – he sees this as a problem for Europe.

“Trump could sabotage his own goal of ending the disastrous war: He is not making ends meet,” says German security analyst Jan Techau.

Hochstader points out that European officials have already begun talks about creating a force to protect Ukraine. It could include British, French, Dutch, Scandinavian and Baltic troops, as well as others. The most important condition, however, would be the presence of a powerful American reserve, possibly based in Poland.

"Simply put, Europe cannot stop the war in Ukraine alone. And the United States cannot successfully end it without European troops. Cooperation and interdependence are key - if and when a negotiated ceasefire is reached... But instead of reassuring European allies and making it clear that Washington has their backs, Trump is lashing out with aggression and insults“, writes Hochsteder.

If this is the art of the American president's deal, it is unlikely to work, he emphasizes.

The observer notes that Trump also has another option - to simply give up on Ukraine by cutting off military aid.

But this could turn Ukraine into Trump's Afghanistan, increasing chaos and refugees. It would also send a signal to China and other adversaries that Washington is weak. It could also encourage U.S. allies in Europe to develop their own nuclear weapons programs.