Imagine that you own a nice home, long since paid for. It belonged to your parents before you, and your grandparents before them. You grew up in it, then inherited it; you love it; you’ve cared for it; and you are now raising your own children in it.

But your neighbor covets your house and land, even though he has property of his own. He tries to force you to give it to him, threatening the well-being and the very lives of your loved ones. But you take a stand and refuse to move, reminding him that this is your property . . . not his. It has never been his.

Still, he persists, and his threats elevate. So a third party — supposedly neutral — is brought in as an arbitrator. But instead of reaching a conclusion based on the facts and legal documents, he realizes that the bullying neighbor is in a position to do favors for him, while you are not; so he sides with the neighbor, and tells you that if you will simply hand over your property, perhaps you and your family will be allowed to continue living . . . just not in your own home.

And neither the neighbor nor the arbitrator seems to understand why you think this is unfair.

*. *. *

And that is precisely the ultimatum that has been presented to Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, by Donald Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Following a fourth meeting yesterday between Witkoff and Vladimir Putin in Moscow — also attended by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and negotiator Kirill Dmitriev — Ushakov told reporters that the three-hour talk had been “constructive and very useful,” adding:

“This conversation allowed the Russian and US positions to be further brought closer together, not only on Ukraine, but also on a number of other international issues.“ [Darya Tarasova, Ivana Kottasova, Nick Paton Walsh and Sophie Tanno, CNN, April 25, 2025.]

Thus far, Trump’s proposal would entail Kyiv’s ceding large swaths of territory to Russia, including the recognition by the United States of Crimea as Russian territory — an option considered by Zelensky to be a constitutional impossibility — as well as giving up Ukraine’s ambition to become part of NATO.

Another of Putin’s conditions — in which Trump has also expressed an interest — would be the lifting of sanctions against Russia . . . a move clearly, and understandably, not favored by European allies.

In yesterday’s meeting, Ushakov said that there had been a discussion of the issue of direct talks in the near future between Moscow and Kyiv as to a cessation of hostilities:

“As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion was, in particular, about the possibility of resuming negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.” [Id.]

*. *. *

Meanwhile, in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, Trump wrote on social media that Russia and Ukraine are “very close to a deal” to end the war:

“A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’” [Id.]

I don’t know what Donald Trump considers “very close to a deal,” or how he thinks they’re going to “finish it off.” But it seems painfully obvious that someone — in this case, an entire country — is on the verge of losing their home . . . and to hell with facts, fairness, or legalities.

The bully will get his way.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
4/26/25