Trump refused to support Ukraine and supports Putin bother materially
and politically. He received a lot of criticism. Well, Robert Kagan new
piece is trying inject Trump's secret purpose into his peace making
effort


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Trump Is Offering Putin Another Munich
Hitler didn’t want a peace deal, and neither does Putin.
By Robert Kagan

March 7, 2025, 5:43 PM ET

Hitler regretted the deal he made with Neville Chamberlain at Munich in
1938. What he actually wanted was war—his goal was to conquer all of Czechoslovakia by force as a first step toward the conquest of all of
Europe.

He didn’t imagine that the British and French governments would be so
craven as to give him everything he publicly asked for, including the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia and the occupation of the Sudetenland by
the German army. When they did, Hitler found himself trapped into
accepting, but he was unhappy. Within five months he ordered the
military occupation of all Czechoslovakia, in violation of the Munich Agreement, and six months after that, he invaded Poland.

Today the Trump administration is offering Vladimir Putin a Munich-like settlement for Ukraine. Trump’s negotiators have offered Putin almost everything he has publicly asked for without demanding anything in
return. They may assume that if they give him everything up front, he
will agree to a cease-fire and some kind of deal that will save face for President Donald Trump, allowing him to claim the mantle of peacemaker,
just as Chamberlain did, albeit for only a few months.
..
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Of course, the strength of Kagan's argument rests on whether Putin wants
peace. In addition, the issue of whether Zelenskyy and his supporters
want peace now is totally ignored.

My take:
1. Peace, at present, is more in the hand of Zelenskyy and his
supporters.
2. If Ukraine really wants peace, Zelenskyy PROBABLY could get better
deal from direct negotiation with Putin/Russia.

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The following from recent Prav da article:

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Putin says what Russia needs from peace and Ukraine
Putin says what kind of peace Russia needs
06.03.2025 19:32
Russia

Russia needs a peace agreement that will ensure long-term historical
stability, President Vladimir Putin stated. He emphasized that Russia
does not seek anything that does not belong to it but will not give up
what is rightfully its own.Russia has no intention of making concessions
to anyone, Putin said during a meeting with employees and beneficiaries
of the Defenders of the Fatherland foundation.

"We must choose a peace settlement that suits us and guarantees
long-term historical stability for our country," Putin said.

According to him, Russia does not need anything foreign, but it will not
give up what is its own.

Moscow seeks a solution that ensures stable development in conditions of
peace and security, he stressed.

Putin claimed that Russia is ready for reasonable compromises but
not for concessions or bargains. He reiterated that Russia has
repeatedly expressed its willingness to negotiate and reach compromises,
but Kyiv has refused.

In January, Putin stated that Russia would pursue a peace agreement that
aligns with its interests. He added that Moscow was willing to negotiate
"with anyone" if Ukraine has the desire to do so.
..
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1. Does "long-term historical stability" mean Putin is willing to
placate European concern? Could Russia placate EU nations as long
MacKinder's Heartland (vs. Rimland) theory is still in vogue?

2. Does "with anyone" include Zelenskyy? Would there be a path over time
for Ukraine to recover the 4 oblasts?

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