So what you witnessed in the Oval Office was a setup!
Yes, a total setup planned and executed in front of the world unlike any other administration in history. Complete exposure to what goes on, no hiding behind closed doors where Democrats could make up lies or change how things went. What you got was what you saw and heard, unlike when Mr. Biden “was” in office. President Trump and VP JD Vance knew that the only way to achieve peace was to strategically align, at least on the surface, with Russia.
Why? Because Russia would never sign a peace treaty if Ukraine were admitted into NATO. Russia sees Ukraine in NATO as a direct threat to its security, influence, and identity as a great power. Signing a peace treaty under those conditions would, in its view, legitimize that threat and surrender its ability to shape Ukraine’s future. It’s less about the treaty itself and more about what NATO membership represents—a decisive shift of Ukraine into the Western camp, which Russia has shown it will go to great lengths to prevent.
This is why President Trump dismantled Zelenskyy’s argument. And when, seeing his play failing, Zelenskyy tried to backtrack and offer a treaty, President Trump refused.
Zelenskyy’s real intent was clear—he would not agree to peace unless security guarantees were in place. But what was he actually saying? That NATO must accept Ukraine. However, Russia would never agree to peace, knowing that NATO, their historical adversary, would surround them. Now consider the larger implications: Ukraine and Russia despise each other. If Ukraine were to become a NATO member, any future skirmish between them would obligate the U.S. to enter into direct conflict with Russia. This would mean World War III. And if that happened, China would have to choose a side—they would almost certainly align with Russia.
VP Vance, Russian President Putin, and President Trump all knew this. Thinking he had Democrats’ support and maybe some prior bad information from officials he met with earlier, Zelenskyy believed he could make this bold move on live television!
But President Trump and VP Vance saw right through it and outmaneuvered him. They knew that, in the short term, Democrats and the media would try to use this moment against them like they do all the time. But they also knew they had two years before midterms to prove their strategy was the right one. So they held their ground, not wavering—brilliantly so.
Now, Zelenskyy will have no choice but to back down and accept President Trump’s terms or go to Europe. But here’s the genius part—President Trump is actually protecting Ukraine without dragging the U.S. into war.
By negotiating a mineral deal, President Trump ensures that Americans will be involved in Ukraine’s mining industry. This prevents Russia from launching an invasion because attacking Ukraine would mean endangering American lives—something that would force the U.S. to respond.
President Trump played both sides like a master chess player. In the end, Zelenskyy will have no choice but to concede or go to Europe for money because, without U.S. support, Ukraine cannot win a prolonged war against Russia. Once U.S. companies have mining operations in Ukraine, Putin will be unable to attack without triggering massive international consequences.
Don’t underestimate President Donald Trump. In this game of chess, he’s 10 moves ahead of everyone.
Credit: Benson