Wages of peace are worth the cost

Vladimir Putin is willing to deal with Donald Trump to discuss and end the war in Ukraine. Or at least that's what Trump told us Putin told him. If true, this could be a big step forward since the outbreak of hostilities and ensuing Western sanctions. Trump's acceptability as peace broker, apart from his self-acclaimed genius in such matters, is assured by the fact that hostilities are being sustained by US military aid to Ukraine and oil prices that feed the Russian war machine. These are big chips for a broker intent on butting heads to arrive at a solution. The Trump approach is more direct and could yield results where Nato enlargement and sanctions have proved counterproductive. He may not be able to reset the map back to 2022. But he has the means to end bloodshed.

Rebuilding the bruised economies presents an opportunity for Europe to crank up contributions for Nato's security shield. Trump has his Nato allies over the barrel with demands to cough up more. If he succeeds, the financial need for Nato enlargement recedes, and waters down the case for Ukraine's inclusion - the proximate cause for the Russian invasion. The war in Ukraine and Europe's decoupling from Russian energy supplies also require a review of US strategic interests in the region.

Trump's reimagination of American greatness will require it to disengage strategically and economically from the rest of the world. But not before Trump puts out fires that are hurting the global economy. His preference for tariffs over sanctions as a means to avoid conflict is the more acceptable course. Tariffs impose greater accountability on politicians who need to explain them to voters as opposed to sanctions whose effects are indeterminate and require no legislative security. Sanctions have a perverse effect of prolonging conflict. Trump is ready to use other means to get to the desired outcomes sooner. He deserves all the support he can muster. Putin should make the call to Trump. And Volodymyr Zelenskyy should heed Trump's call for a ceasefire.