Is Trump’s quest for glory playing into Putin’s hands? It may be that he has met more than his match.
The US President called on Russian Premier Vladimir Putin to “get moving” on a Ukraine ceasefire – but instead of slowing down, Putin escalated, launching a brutal missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed at least 34 people and injured 117 more, including 15 children.
Two Iskander missiles, reportedly packed with cluster munitions, struck the city centre near Sumy State University, shattering lives and buildings in an attack described as “completely deranged” by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The images from the aftermath are harrowing: burning vehicles, twisted trees, bloodied civilians. Among the victims was a baby girl born this year.
Putin’s message was loud and clear. He didn’t just ignore Trump – he humiliated the US President.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
This is the stark reality behind Trump’s carefully curated image as a master dealmaker.
His posturing as the man who can “end the war in 24 hours” is starting to unravel under the weight of actual events.
Instead of delivering peace, he’s delivering empty declarations – that now look increasingly out of touch, even dangerous.
The Nobel fantasy
There is widespread speculation that Trump’s interest in the Ukraine ceasefire is motivated less by geopolitical concern and more by personal legacy.
The Nobel Peace Prize is the glittering trophy he has been chasing for years; he’s mentioned it repeatedly, often with open bitterness about Barack Obama having received one.
The idea of securing peace in Ukraine, after a war that has consumed global attention, fits the kind of historical headline Trump wants written about him.
But peace doesn’t come from press statements. It doesn’t come from asking politely—or performatively—on camera. And it certainly doesn’t come from refusing to confront aggressors with consequences.
It comes from pressure, commitment, and strategic unity—none of which Trump has shown.
Putin’s leverage
If Trump truly believed his personal appeal could sway Putin, then this missile strike is a rude awakening.
And if Trump’s diplomatic efforts are more about optics than outcomes—as they often appear to be—then he has just given Putin exactly what he wants: an opponent more interested in appearances than leverage.
Putin has every reason to stall, drag out talks, and use Trump’s desperation for a diplomatic “win” as cover to continue his military campaign.
With every public plea Trump makes for peace—unmet and unreciprocated—he exposes how little influence he actually has. To mix metaphors, he shows his cards – and Putin plays him like a slot machine.
The tragedy is that while these two men engage in ego-driven posturing, Ukrainians are dying. Children are dying. Homes are reduced to ash, and families to grief.
Backfire at home?
The question now is whether this will register with American voters.
As long as the war stays “over there,” it’s easy for many to stay detached.
But Trump’s political brand hinges on the idea that he defends American interests – and here’s where the cracks begin to show.
His ability to secure rare earth mineral deals from Ukraine—something he pitched as a strategic win for the U.S.—now looks increasingly unlikely while the war grinds on.
The economic consequences of a prolonged conflict, coupled with the strategic advantage slipping away, could start to weigh on voter perception, especially among those who backed Trump for his promise of pragmatic wins.
If it begins to look like Putin is outmaneuvering Trump—not just militarily, but psychologically—that could be a narrative Trump can’t spin away.
And if the Nobel dream fades into farce, his whole peace-broker persona may come crashing down with it.
In the end, Trump’s quest for glory is not only failing to end the war—it may be feeding it.
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Is Trump’s quest for glory playing into Putin’s hands?
Is Trump’s quest for glory playing into Putin’s hands? It may be that he has met more than his match.
The US President called on Russian Premier Vladimir Putin to “get moving” on a Ukraine ceasefire – but instead of slowing down, Putin escalated, launching a brutal missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed at least 34 people and injured 117 more, including 15 children.
Two Iskander missiles, reportedly packed with cluster munitions, struck the city centre near Sumy State University, shattering lives and buildings in an attack described as “completely deranged” by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The images from the aftermath are harrowing: burning vehicles, twisted trees, bloodied civilians. Among the victims was a baby girl born this year.
Putin’s message was loud and clear. He didn’t just ignore Trump – he humiliated the US President.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
This is the stark reality behind Trump’s carefully curated image as a master dealmaker.
His posturing as the man who can “end the war in 24 hours” is starting to unravel under the weight of actual events.
Instead of delivering peace, he’s delivering empty declarations – that now look increasingly out of touch, even dangerous.
The Nobel fantasy
There is widespread speculation that Trump’s interest in the Ukraine ceasefire is motivated less by geopolitical concern and more by personal legacy.
The Nobel Peace Prize is the glittering trophy he has been chasing for years; he’s mentioned it repeatedly, often with open bitterness about Barack Obama having received one.
The idea of securing peace in Ukraine, after a war that has consumed global attention, fits the kind of historical headline Trump wants written about him.
But peace doesn’t come from press statements. It doesn’t come from asking politely—or performatively—on camera. And it certainly doesn’t come from refusing to confront aggressors with consequences.
It comes from pressure, commitment, and strategic unity—none of which Trump has shown.
Putin’s leverage
If Trump truly believed his personal appeal could sway Putin, then this missile strike is a rude awakening.
And if Trump’s diplomatic efforts are more about optics than outcomes—as they often appear to be—then he has just given Putin exactly what he wants: an opponent more interested in appearances than leverage.
Putin has every reason to stall, drag out talks, and use Trump’s desperation for a diplomatic “win” as cover to continue his military campaign.
With every public plea Trump makes for peace—unmet and unreciprocated—he exposes how little influence he actually has. To mix metaphors, he shows his cards – and Putin plays him like a slot machine.
The tragedy is that while these two men engage in ego-driven posturing, Ukrainians are dying. Children are dying. Homes are reduced to ash, and families to grief.
Backfire at home?
The question now is whether this will register with American voters.
As long as the war stays “over there,” it’s easy for many to stay detached.
But Trump’s political brand hinges on the idea that he defends American interests – and here’s where the cracks begin to show.
His ability to secure rare earth mineral deals from Ukraine—something he pitched as a strategic win for the U.S.—now looks increasingly unlikely while the war grinds on.
The economic consequences of a prolonged conflict, coupled with the strategic advantage slipping away, could start to weigh on voter perception, especially among those who backed Trump for his promise of pragmatic wins.
If it begins to look like Putin is outmaneuvering Trump—not just militarily, but psychologically—that could be a narrative Trump can’t spin away.
And if the Nobel dream fades into farce, his whole peace-broker persona may come crashing down with it.
In the end, Trump’s quest for glory is not only failing to end the war—it may be feeding it.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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