Not Peace, but a Trap for Ukraine: How Putin Is Using Trump and How It Might All End

Russia is increasingly making it clear that its goal in the war against Ukraine goes far beyond the seizure of territory. Attacks on the civilian population, the denial of Ukrainian national identity, and the rhetoric of propagandists all point to an effort to destroy Ukrainians as a distinct nation. At the same time, the Kremlin is trying to use negotiations mediated by Donald Trump to push its own terms and reshape the European security architecture to its advantage.

Journalist Ihor Yakovenko told 24 Channel why Russian propaganda is no longer hiding the Kremlin’s true goals, how Vladimir Putin is trying to influence Donald Trump’s position, and what we should really expect from the talks in Abu Dhabi. The journalist also explained why Moscow’s window of opportunity may soon close.

Overt Genocide Instead of Military Objectives

When analyzing the current situation, it is worth noting the shift in the rhetoric of Russian propaganda. Now in the fifth year of the full-scale invasion, the Kremlin’s mouthpieces have begun to openly acknowledge what has long been obvious: there is no military justification for the attacks on Ukraine.

The front line remains static, and the Russian army is incapable of inflicting a military defeat on the Armed Forces of Ukraine. What the Russian media cynically call causing stress among the population is, in fact, an attempt at genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Putin’s main and only goal is to ensure that no one remains on Ukrainian territory who considers themselves a separate nation. That is precisely why Russian propagandists, such as Mikhalkov or Zhuravlev, go to absurd lengths, declaring the Ukrainian and even the English languages to be manifestations of Russophobia.

This primitive xenophobia shows that Russian fascism has already surpassed its historical counterparts in terms of the intensity of its hatred. The sickness of Russian society has gone so far that, for many Russians, killing citizens of another country has become the most important thing in life.

According to Yakovenko, a cure for this horror is possible only through the disappearance of the Russian state within its current imperial borders, since this form of fascism can no longer be treated by therapeutic means.

Broadcasting Kremlin Narratives Through Washington

Donald Trump’s recent statements regarding Ukraine’s future – in particular, that it will change and take on a different form – are not his own strategic ideas. The president-elect is currently serving as a mouthpiece for ideas imposed on him by the Kremlin.

A telling test of whose side Trump is on was a recent meeting following a humanitarian mission in Oleshky. At that time, representatives of the Ukrainian delegation were not invited to meet with Trump. Instead, a meeting took place with Russian representative Dmitriev.

It was precisely after this conversation that the American politician began talking about negotiating a great deal. The essence of this Russian proposal lies in a radical change to the situation: instead of resolving the issue of the war against Ukraine, it proposes creating a new framework for European security, of which the Ukrainian state is to become a part.

In effect, this is an attempt to resolve the Ukrainian issue at the expense of other geopolitical problems. Trump gladly agreed to this idea, which Putin had floated to him through an intermediary.

Negotiations and Expectations for the Abu Dhabi Meeting

Against the backdrop of these statements, the world is preparing for meetings in Abu Dhabi with the participation of representatives from Ukraine, the U.S., Europe, and Russia. The Russian side has even changed its representatives, sending deputy foreign ministers instead of the usual propagandists.

However, all these diplomatic maneuvers are merely an illusion of a process. Putin participates in the meetings solely to rubber-stamp a predetermined outcome. He has no interest in simply talking, as he has no intention of ending the war or even declaring a ceasefire.

The only factor that could realistically influence the situation on the battlefield is a decision by the Kremlin leader himself – a decision that has not yet been made. All other ideas about embedding a resolution to this war within some pan-European agreement are merely ploys.

The Ukrainian government understands this perfectly well, as evidenced by President Zelenskyy’s firm stance against allowing Ukraine's problems to be resolved without its involvement.

Therefore, the only possible positive outcome of the Abu Dhabi summit can be agreement on the exchange of prisoners. Everything else is a pipe dream, since no negotiating team is capable of changing the course of events if the main instigator of the aggression has no intention of stopping.

The window of opportunity for the Kremlin is closing

The current intensification of the negotiation processes is a sort of window of opportunity for Putin and Trump to achieve what they failed to do before. However, this period will be short-lived.

As early as the beginning of January, the new U.S. Congress will take office, and Trump will have entirely different concerns. Numerous committees are expected to be formed to investigate his actions, along with attempts to remove key cabinet members and push for impeachment proceedings against his inner circle.

Under such circumstances, the U.S. administration’s focus will inevitably shift to domestic issues, and the topic of negotiations regarding Ukraine will sharply recede into the background.

This means that attempts to impose unfavorable terms on Ukraine through pressure from Washington may weaken, leaving Russia to face the necessity of continuing a grueling war without any quick diplomatic victories.

Journalist Ihor Yakovenko on Putin’s influence and the White House: video