Yesterday, I reported on an economic proposal that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said had been presented to Washington by Moscow as part of the effort to end the war in Ukraine:

“‘The Dmitriev Package.’ So named by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Russian envoy and money-man Kirill Dmitriev, it refers to a $12 trillion economic proposal that Zelensky says has been presented by Russia to the U.S. as part of the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. This comes to light as the Trump administration increases the pressure on Ukraine to bring an end to the war by June, while Moscow increases its bombardments and continues to insist that Ukraine cede approximately 20% of its sovereign territory to Russia.” [The Associated Press, February 7, 2026.]

As I was reading the AP article, I wondered why Donald Trump had suddenly focused on June as the deadline for a peace settlement. According to Zelensky, it has to do with the rapid approach of the U.S. midterm elections in November:

“Elections are definitely more important for them. Let’s not be naive. They say that they want to do everything by June . . . so that the war ends. And they want a clear schedule.” [Christopher Miller, Financial Times, February 7, 2026.]

That makes perfect sense. Together with a potential economic windfall, Trump would own the bragging rights to having settled a real war . . . in plenty of time to try winning back the swing states whose votes could determine control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Not to mention his push for that elusive Nobel Peace Prize.

And now, it appears that Vladimir Putin may also have an incentive to offer some compromise toward a settlement. According to his economic advisers, Russia needs that “Dmitriev Package” more desperately than the rest of the world may realize.

Putin talks a good game, bragging about advances on the battlefield and the strength of the Russian economy. But the truth is, his treasury is hurting, thanks in large part to a 50% drop in oil revenues over the past year due to worldwide sanctions, a growing budget deficit, spiraling inflation, and increasing unemployment figures. [Jason Ma, Fortune, February 8, 2026.]

Following last week’s trilateral meeting at Abu Dhabi, President Zelensky said:

“America proposed for the first time that the two negotiating teams — Ukraine and Russia — meet in the United States of America, probably in Miami, in a week. We confirmed our participation.” [Id.]

So here’s how it might play out:

> First, Putin offers Trump a $12 trillion economic package (the details of which are as yet unknown, but it’s bound to be mutually beneficial). Meanwhile, he steps up his deadly attacks on Ukraine.

> Next, Trump convinces Zelensky that he has a choice between giving up 20% of his country or losing it all, because Putin is never going to stop his assault.

> An agreement is finally reached, and Putin saves face by claiming he really only wanted Crimea and the Donbas in the first place. Plus, he gets back onto the world stage and maintains his grip on power at home.

> And Trump . . . well, he gets to be the “Peace President” — the stable genius who did what no one else in the world could have done, and who deserves a chest full of medals, his name affixed to every government building in the country . . . and, of course, next year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

So everyone wins . . . well, except Ukraine. They will have lost hundreds of thousands of military troops and civilians, one-fifth of their territory, and much of their infrastructure. And why? Because a pair of power-crazed autocrats made a deal.

*. *. *

As for Trump, he may think he won the day; and to an extent, that may be true. But with all of the accolades and the gold-plated awards, it would still take the Wizard of Oz to provide him with the three things he has never had, and never will have: a heart, a brain, and courage.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
2/10/26