The Trump administration is not interested in “a lasting peace” — they are interested in the right optics.

Many people believe that Trump genuinely wants to end the war in Ukraine, and we do too — but motives matter. The new administration doesn’t want to end the war because they are “anti-war,” feel bad about Ukrainians or Russians dying, or want to befriend Russia. They want it over with because it’s a failed project that’s consuming significant money and energy without delivering the results the U.S. establishment hoped for. Scrap it and make peace, quickly!

The talks in Jeddah have demonstrated, once again, that the U.S. doesn’t care about Russia’s perspective or desires. They’ve also shown that any “assistance” they withdraw can be reinstated in an instant if it suits their interests. Already, they are spinning their efforts to beat their proxy into submission as a great diplomatic victory, and Russia’s lack of desire to play ball that is now “in its court” will likely be presented as them undermining “the peace efforts”.

What Trump wants is for this “nasty, nasty” and inconvenient war to end, earning him points at home as a peacemaker. However, until the U.S. starts taking Russia seriously and recognizes that it is not a neutral mediator but an active party to the conflict — one that must also make changes and concessions — there is little hope for a meaningful settlement. Russia knows it too.