
Donald Trump just spent two hours on the phone with Vladimir Putin—and he got completely outmaneuvered. Putin walked away with exactly what he wanted: a halt to Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and a month-long pause in hostilities. Trump, meanwhile, got nothing but played.
Putin is employing the classic Russian art of the “no” deal—a strategic trap that Trump fell into headfirst. As Nick Paton Walsh puts it in his analysis for CNN:
The vaudeville theater of the past month should provide little comfort that the war is suddenly headed toward peace. Yes, the Trump administration has talked peace in a way that nobody has done so far in this war. But they have also managed to confirm, in short shrift, that Moscow looks for cracks of weakness and mercilessly drives a tank through them.
Trump felt he could either persuade, coax, or outsmart Putin. He has yet to do any of that. He has palpably lost in their first direct diplomatic face-off. For millions of Ukrainians his next choice defines their lives. Does he lose interest, apply pressure, or again provide concessions? It is a dizzying prospect.
His adversary is focused not on improved relations with Russia’s decades-long adversary, the United States, or with its current president, Donald Trump, but instead on victory in its most existential conflict since the Nazis.
These are not two similar perspectives to the deal. The art of one is more applied than the other.
Trump thought he could persuade, charm, or outfox Putin. He’s done none of that. Instead, he’s been humiliated in their first major diplomatic test. And the consequences for Ukraine are dire.
Putin’s strategy is clear: victory at all costs. Trump’s? Floundering weakness and misguided arrogance. These aren’t two sides playing the same game—Putin is playing chess while Trump struggles with checkers. And the world is noticing.