Peter Baker: What Trump Has Learned in the Last Few Weeks Is That Putin Isn’t Eager for a Peace Deal with Ukraine

RUSH EXCERPT:
BAKER: "Yeah, well, of. Course, the Russians and Ukrainians sat down in. Istanbul for the. First time in almost three years on Friday. But the. Point was. It. Got nowhere. And you heard Trump say and Marco. Rubio say is. It won’t get anywhere. These peace talks. Actually won’t. get anywhere. Until Trump and Putin. Talk personally. That’s the president’s assessment. Of course, that makes you wonder why they’ve been having these talks if they if. That’s what he thinks. But look. I think what he’s learned in the. Last few weeks is that Vladimir. Putin. Isn’t eager. For a peace deal. Trump proposed a 30. Day ceasefire, unconditional cease fire, so that they could then. Have more discussions about the various issues involved with this conflict. The Ukrainians president Zelenskyy there accepted that, but Putin said no. And so I think that Trump is now left in the position of trying to. Find a way to leverage. Putin into. You know, making a genuine deal. I don’t imagine. This Monday. Call is. Going to get us that deal, per se. But it may. Actually begin to push Putin. Further if. Trump takes. A hard line. But that. Hasn’t been what Trump’s approach has been. Trump’s approach. Has been to. Give Russia. All the concessions. It. Could hope for. And then Putin. Has been pocketing them and looking for more."