Commenting on the Ukraine plan: Trump desperately needs success

After weeks of seriousness, peace in Ukraine would be an important success for US President Trump, said Kerstin Klein. But since pressure on Russia was unsuccessful, he tried again against a weakened Ukraine.

What does Donald Trump want in Ukraine? The answer has remained the same for months: a peace agreement as quickly as possible. He promised that on his first day in office, and he still wants it – perhaps also with a view to getting the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump’s calculation: Zelenskyj is weakening

What impact will this have on Ukraine? Always something different. Trump ramps up pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyj – the unspeakable moment in the Oval Office when Trump humiliated the Ukrainian president will never be forgotten. Sometimes he gets impatient with Russia, as recently when he imposed harsh sanctions.

Now the pressure seems to be back on Ukraine.

What the US is now presenting as a peace plan is in many ways unacceptable to the country attacked by Russia because it accepts many of Russia’s maximum demands. But apparently the calculation seems to be that Zelensky is weak enough to give in to pressure this time. Due to constant shelling by Russia, domestic corruption scandals, and dwindling support from America.

The first Republican will go

Trump himself is under pressure at home. The US President, who has been spoiled with success since his re-election, has had a miserable week.

For the first time, Republicans in Congress refused to follow his wishes and voted against the release of the Epstein files. His last-minute reversal did little to hide the defeat. The Republican Party he led suffered crushing defeats in regional and local elections. And: Trump’s poll numbers are absurd. Republicans first appear to be carefully positioning themselves for the post-Trump era.

The US president is desperate for success. And if he doesn’t succeed in putting pressure on Russia, then he will likely try to increase pressure again on Ukraine.