I was very disappointed in the fact that the Turmp-Putin Alaskan meeting did not result in a cease fire. However, I was not surprised. It is a very complicated business.

Consider the following.

0 – Though it has a history as a one-time independent kingdom, Ukraine was part of the greater Russian state for about two hundred years (until 1991). Putin wanted to return it to its former status.

0 – Russia has expended enormous resources of men and money in the effort to take back the Ukraine. Putin’s leadership would be in severe jeopardy were he to end the war without territorial gains.

0 – Zelensky and the Ukrainians do not wish to relinquish any territory to the Russians.

0 – Some of the areas occupied by Russian troops are probably culturally/ethnically Russian as much as Ukrainian.

0 – Both the Russians and the Ukrainians must back away from their more extreme positions. A compromise settlement is possible but very difficult. Without compromise, the war will go on.

0 – In exchange for security gurantees and economic considerations, Ukraine may be persuaded to cede some territories to the Russians.

0 – In exchange for these Ukrainian territorial concessions, Putin may be persuaded to cease his aggression. Trump will undoubtedly sweeten the deal for Putin by promising to improve economic cooperation with the U. S. and bringing Russia into the community of nations – particularly the nations of Western Europe.

0 – If Zelensky chooses to refuse any concessions, Trump is likely to wipe his hands and let the war play out without any further U. S. involvement.

0 – If the Ukrainians make reasonable concessions and the Russians refuse to accept them, Trump is likely to put maximum economic pressure on Russia by use of secondary tariffs, indirect military assistance to the Ukrainians via our European NATO allies, etc.

I believe Trump made these facts plain to Putin during their meeting, and Trump came back from Alaska believing that he had delivered his message and that Putin was ready to end the war. Trump appeared optimistic and announced that he would meet with Zelensky on Monday. Perhaps we will soon see an end to this terrible bloodletting. Let us pray that is so.

P.S. I have no inside sources. The analysis above is simply based on what seems logical. Successful or not, I believe that Trump deserves great credit for his efforts to end the carnage. I believe he truly wishes to be known as a peacemaker.