Peter Baker: It’s Important for Ukraine That Russia Takes the Blame If These Peace Talks Fall Through

EXCERPT:

BAKER: “You know, it’s interesting to hear Trump and his people express frustration with Putin. That hasn’t been something they’ve done a lot over the last 10 years. Trump is such an admirer of Putin over the years, called him a genius, called him very savvy. You know, expressed so much admiration of him. Today, Karoline Levitt, the White House press secretary, said that the president is frustrated with both sides, meaning the Russians and the Ukrainians. From the Ukrainian point of view, if these talks are going to collapse, the important thing for them is to make sure that Putin gets the blame, or at least as much of the blame as they can muster because they don’t want Trump to back away and they don’t want Trump to say, you know, to wipe his hands and say pox on both their houses.”