**Trump Holds All the Cards in Ukraine‘s Peace Gamble: Will He Use Them?**
It’s been five years since US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the G20 summit in Canada. Back then, it seemed like Putin had the upper hand, with his country’s military strength and economic influence on the rise.
But that was before Russia invaded Ukraine and things took a turn for the worse. Putin’s invasion has been a disaster, with nearly three years of war now under way. Ukraine, once considered a third-rate power, has managed to defeat Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and severely limit its ability to operate in the Black Sea.
**Russia’s Military Weakness Exposed**
Russia’s military equipment has been shown to be inferior to that of NATO countries. Its fourth and fifth generation hardware is no match for the second and third generation gear used by Western allies. As a result, Russian defense sales have plummeted, and its geopolitical influence has disappeared.
**Economic Consequences**
The economic consequences of Russia’s invasion are severe. The country’s economy is in a state of collapse due to sanctions, with inflation rampant and the ruble nearing record lows. Central banks have been forced to raise interest rates to 21%, and Russia has lost $330 billion of central bank reserves.
**Energy Markets Lost**
Russia’s grip on European energy markets has also been broken. The continent is moving away from Russian carbon-based energy and diversifying its suppliers, including Algeria, Central Asia, and the Gulf. This has cost Russia a significant loss of revenue, with its annual gas business worth 50 billion euros per year.
**Trump Still Holds the Cards**
Despite Putin’s failures, Trump remains in a strong position. He controls the US Supreme Court and federal power levers, making it unlikely that he will face any serious consequences for his actions. His ability to survive scandals is legendary, and he has shown that he can even shoot someone on Fifth Avenue without fear of repercussions.
**What Next?**
With Putin’s options dwindling, Trump still holds the cards in Ukraine’s peace gamble. Will he use them to negotiate a favorable deal, or will he choose to continue his administration’s policy of “America First”? Only time will tell.