As of May 31, 2025, Russian Tsar Vladimir Putin is trumping up the credibility of our MAGA King. Putin remains at the center of escalating geopolitical tensions, marked by intensified military actions in Ukraine and strained international relations jeopardizing Trump's credibility worldwide.
Escalation in Ukraine
In the last week of May 2025, Russia launched its most extensive aerial assault since the onset of the conflict, deploying 367 drones and missiles across Ukrainian cities. This offensive is perceived as a direct challenge to King Trump and signifies a significant escalation in the ongoing war. (The US Sun, ElHuffPost)
Concurrently, Russian forces are amassing approximately 50,000 troops near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, indicating preparations for a substantial ground offensive. Analysts suggest that Putin aims to achieve a decisive breakthrough within a four-month window before Russian military resources become critically depleted. (The US Sun)
International Response and Diplomatic Strains
In response to Russia's aggressive actions, Trump has issued a two-week ultimatum to Putin to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace. Failure to do so may prompt the U.S. to adopt a more assertive stance. (The Times of India)
The U.S. Senate is also advancing a bipartisan sanctions bill proposing a 500% tariff on Russian oil, gas, and uranium exports. This legislation aims to exert economic pressure on Russia to deter further military aggression. (New York Post)
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on Trump to adopt a tougher stance on Putin, criticizing the Russian leader for resisting peace efforts and continuing military aggression. (adelaidenow)
Putin's Stance and Demands
Despite public expressions of readiness for peace, Putin's conditions for ending the war include demands for written commitments from Western leaders to halt NATO's eastward expansion, lifting of sanctions against Russia, and protections for Russian-speaking Ukrainians. These demands are viewed by many as unrealistic and indicative of Putin's inflexibility. (New York Post)
Analysts believe that Putin's overarching goal is to force the West to concede Ukraine and weaken or dismantle NATO, thereby reasserting Russia's influence over former Soviet territories. (ElHuffPost) Many experts believe that Putin's end goal is to reestablish the former Soviet Union.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
Former CIA Director David Petraeus has warned that if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he may target other nations, such as Lithuania, to further his ambitions of restoring a Russian empire. This perspective underscores the potential for broader regional instability if Russia's aggression remains unchecked. (The US Sun, The US Sun)
The international community remains watchful, with NATO allies urged to increase defense spending and remain vigilant against potential threats posed by Russia's actions. (Diario AS)
In summary, President Putin's recent military escalations and rigid diplomatic demands have heightened global tensions, prompting calls for stronger international responses to counteract Russia's aggressive posture. Putin is also putting in question Trump's reputation and ego as a master negotiator.
Trump's Campaign Promises
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump made bold assertions regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, prominently claiming he would end the war in one day, within 24 hours of taking office. King Trump emphasized his relationships with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting that his personal rapport and his art of the deal would facilitate swift negotiations to end the war.
In various campaign events and interviews, Trump reiterated this promise. For instance, in March 2023, he told Fox News' Sean Hannity, "There's a very easy negotiation to take place. But I don't want to tell you what it is because then I can't use that negotiation; it'll never work." He added, "I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them." (AP News)
Trump's campaign also highlighted a peace plan developed by his former National Security Council staffers, Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz. The plan proposed a ceasefire based on current frontlines, with continued arms supplies to Ukraine if it agreed to peace talks, and increased arms supplies if Russia refused. (Lowy Institute Interactives, Wikipedia)
Critics questioned the feasibility of Trump's promises of rapid conflict resolution, noting the complexities of international diplomacy and the entrenched positions of both Russia and Ukraine. Despite these criticisms, Trump's campaign maintained that his unique approach and negotiation skills would bring about a swift end to the war. Remember that Trump plays "4D chess" and "sees the matrix" like no one else.
In summary, Trump's 2024 campaign was marked by a strong emphasis on ending the Russia-Ukraine war quickly, leveraging his persona and a masterful peace plan. Critics and experts essentially called out Trump's plan as a fantasy. They were right. Trump was wrong.
What do Experts Recommend?
Experts advise that Trump should adopt a firmer and more strategic approach in dealing with Putin. Key recommendations include:
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Implement Stronger Sanctions: Analysts suggest that imposing more severe economic sanctions on Russia could pressure Putin to reconsider his aggressive actions. For instance, a bipartisan Senate bill proposes a 500% tariff on Russian oil, gas, and uranium exports, aiming to cripple Russia's energy revenue and deter further military aggression.
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Enhance Military Support to Ukraine: Providing Ukraine with advanced military aid and lifting restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons could strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. This approach may alter the battlefield dynamics, making continued aggression less tenable for Russia. (WSJ, Chatham House)
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Avoid Concessions Without Reciprocity: Experts caution against making unilateral concessions to Russia without tangible commitments in return. Putin's negotiation tactics often involve stalling and seeking advantages without offering meaningful compromises. (Chatham House)
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Maintain a Unified Western Front: Coordinating closely with NATO allies and maintaining a consistent stance against Russian aggression is crucial. A unified approach can prevent Putin from exploiting divisions among Western nations.
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Recognize the Risks of Appeasement: Historical parallels are drawn between current events and past instances where appeasement failed to prevent further aggression. Some experts warn that making deals with Putin without holding him accountable could embolden further hostile actions. (The US Sun)
In summary, a combination of increased economic pressure, bolstered military support for Ukraine, cautious diplomacy, and strong alliances is recommended to effectively address the challenges posed by Putin's actions.
What Will Trump Do? Wash His Hands of Ukraine
As Putin escalates its aggression against Ukraine, global attention has shifted to how Trump will respond. But for those familiar with his instincts, worldview, and political calculations, the answer may be simpler than expected: he won’t.
The Pivot Away from Ukraine
Our prediction is that Trump will pivot away from the Ukraine conflict and hand the reins to Europe. His rhetoric may remain loud, his tweets punchy, but the underlying strategy will be one of strategic disengagement. This isn’t isolationism in the traditional sense. It’s a calculated retreat from a conflict that holds more political liability than gain for Trump.
Why Trump Won’t Press Putin
Trump has long shown a reluctance to confront Vladimir Putin. He views the Russian leader not as an ideological foe but as a peer and mentor. Putin is someone who operates with unfiltered authority, suppresses dissent, and commands a loyalist political base. Trump likely understands that he has minimal leverage over Putin and that any attempt to force peace through U.S.-led diplomacy would result in failure—or worse, expose American weakness on the world stage.
And here's the uncomfortable truth Trump grasps: Russia cannot be conventionally defeated without either direct NATO intervention or a devastating escalation. Trump understands full well that Americans are not interested in World War III and would rather get rid of him first than having to fight foreign, senseless wars.
Trump knows that economic sanctions will fail to stop Putin. They have failed in the past and will continue failing. Sanctions only embolden Putin and make him even more popular in Russia because they fuel anti-Western propaganda in a totalitarian regime where there is no viable political opposition. Moreover, as energy prices rise and global markets wobble, the backlash from further sanctions would add to inflationary pressures in the West, hurting voters in Trump’s own MAGA base.
Zelensky Is Not Trump’s Kind of Ally
Trump also has little political appetite for supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two have clashed before—most notably in the 2019 impeachment proceedings, which stemmed from Trump’s pressure on Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden’s family. That history has soured any potential alliance. Relationships have not gotten any better during Trump's second term when Zelensky was bullied to oblivion by JD Vance and others in the Oval Office. From the optics, it seems clear that Trump and his White House don't like Zelensky.
Beyond personal animosity, Trump likely views Zelensky’s liberal, pro-EU, pro-NATO image as fundamentally at odds with the MAGA agenda or turning the United States into a Russia-like kleptocracy. Supporting Zelensky risks alienating Trump’s base, which is increasingly skeptical of endless foreign entanglements and that is very sympathetic to the strong man authoritarianism that characterizes leaders like Putin.
The MAGA Vision: American Russian-Like Kleptocracy?
There’s another layer to this calculus. Trump admires Putin and how he was able to take total political control over Russia. Trump's movement mirrors Putinism: a disdain for liberal democracy, contempt for the press, nationalist populism, and transactional governance that rewards loyalty over law. In many ways, MAGA is trying to reshape American democracy into something less accountable, more centralized, and deeply suspicious of global cooperation.
From this vantage, a strong Ukraine resisting Russian authoritarianism is not a strategic asset—it’s a philosophical threat. Trump’s America has more in common with Russia’s political tactics than with Zelensky’s democratic ambitions.
A Political No-Win Scenario
Most importantly, Trump is a political animal. He senses that any serious engagement in Ukraine is a no-win scenario: Escalation could drag the U.S. into deeper conflict. Concessions could be seen as weakness. A drawn-out stalemate would be viewed as incompetence.
Based on all of the above, Trump will wash his hands off the Ukraine mess and move on with his MAGA quest. Trump will not risk political capital where there's nothing to gain and much to lose according to his own world view and personal ambition.
Trump has other fish to fry as he eyes legacy-defining domestic battles over immigration, government reform, and the economy. Ukraine, to him, is a distraction. A losing game.
Conclusion: Europe, It’s Your War Now
In the coming months, expect Trump to ramp up calls for Europe to “handle its own backyard”. He’ll frame disengagement as smart realism, not abandonment. He’ll blame NATO for provoking the conflict, criticize Biden-era policies for mismanaging the crisis, and ultimately present himself as the leader who avoids “forever wars” and prioritizes America First—even if it means leaving allies to face the storm alone.
This is a win-win for Trump. He will make Europe great again, and Russia great again, to make Trumerica great again. Putin will take the signal. So will Zelensky. And so should we.
www.creatix.one
Our prediction is that Trump will pivot away from the Ukraine conflict and hand the reins to Europe. His rhetoric may remain loud, his tweets punchy, but the underlying strategy will be one of strategic disengagement. This isn’t isolationism in the traditional sense. It’s a calculated retreat from a conflict that holds more political liability than gain for Trump.
And here's the uncomfortable truth Trump grasps: Russia cannot be conventionally defeated without either direct NATO intervention or a devastating escalation. Trump understands full well that Americans are not interested in World War III and would rather get rid of him first than having to fight foreign, senseless wars.
Zelensky Is Not Trump’s Kind of Ally
Trump also has little political appetite for supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two have clashed before—most notably in the 2019 impeachment proceedings, which stemmed from Trump’s pressure on Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden’s family. That history has soured any potential alliance. Relationships have not gotten any better during Trump's second term when Zelensky was bullied to oblivion by JD Vance and others in the Oval Office. From the optics, it seems clear that Trump and his White House don't like Zelensky.
The MAGA Vision: American Russian-Like Kleptocracy?
There’s another layer to this calculus. Trump admires Putin and how he was able to take total political control over Russia. Trump's movement mirrors Putinism: a disdain for liberal democracy, contempt for the press, nationalist populism, and transactional governance that rewards loyalty over law. In many ways, MAGA is trying to reshape American democracy into something less accountable, more centralized, and deeply suspicious of global cooperation.
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