NEGOTIATING IN BAD FAITH HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PLAN

It’s obvious that the Trump administration is unable to close the deal on a Ukraine/Russia plan for peace. It’s obvious the solution is and always has been Ukrainian capitulation and acceptance of Russian demands. The main Trump/Russia plan continues to be to blame Ukraine for it all. Is that now the US Congress’ plan as well? The Trump administration wants to desert a democratic ally for obvious, and historical, reasons. The current US-backed plan echoes almost entirely the plan Russian operatives presented to Trump’s 2016 campaign manager Paul Manafort in exchange for helping Trump win the White House. He also wants economic deals made with Russia. With Ukraine. Though so far it’s clear all benefits would be on the Russian side. Assurances to Ukraine are vague. And not to be trusted. They are being treated as if they are vanquished. But they are not. No wonder Ukraine, and the world, are having none of it. Because it is wrong. Our current president is not a consummate dealmaker. He is completely in thrall, or debt, or both, to Russia and Putin. And we can all see the many reasons why that might be. All the bullying and threats in the world won’t change that. It just makes America look small. And ineffectual. But maybe that’s what we have to settle for these days. Y’all certainly seem happy with it.