How Trump’s vision for Ukraine could backfire on Putin — or embolden him.
As Donald Trump teases his plan to end the war in Ukraine “in 24 hours” if re-elected, experts warn his approach could either backfire on Vladimir Putin — or hand the Russian leader exactly what he wants. Trump’s vision reportedly includes cutting military aid to Ukraine, pushing for a quick settlement, and creating a demilitarized zone defended by European forces.
However, according to Bill Browder and Brandon Silver, two of the world’s leading voices on human rights and Russian aggression, this so-called “peace plan” ignores the reality of Putin’s ambitions. In a recent interview, they argue Putin’s goal isn’t compromise — it’s total domination. If Trump believes Putin will settle for anything less, he’s setting the stage for a humiliating failure.
At the same time, both Browder and Silver point out that Trump’s personality could throw a wrench into Putin’s plans. Trump prides himself on being the “ultimate alpha,” and so does Putin. The clash of egos could lead to unpredictable consequences — including Trump turning on Putin if he feels disrespected or embarrassed.
But the greater concern is that by pulling U.S. military aid, Trump would weaken Ukraine’s defenses, leaving Europe scrambling to fill the gap. This could embolden Putin, further destabilize NATO, and signal to autocrats everywhere that aggressive land grabs come with little consequence.
As Browder and Silver emphasize, the future of Ukraine — and global democracy — will hinge not just on backroom deals, but on the voices of political prisoners, dissidents, and the millions of Ukrainians fighting for their survival. Whether Trump’s Ukraine plan blows up in Putin’s face or in the face of democracy itself remains to be seen.
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