Donald Trump has never been one to mince words, and his approach to the conflict in Ukraine has stirred a predictable storm of criticism. Pundits and politicians, particularly those aligned with the Western establishment, have typically accused him of “sidelining” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his efforts to broker an end to the conflict—or, as he puts it, to “avoid World War Three”. The charge is that Trump, in his brash, deal-making style, is ignoring Kyiv’s leader and thereby undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. This narrative misses something important. Trump’s moves—or at least the perception of them—stem from a deeper conviction: namely, that the war in Ukraine is basically an American proxy attrition war, one he’s determined to wind down in his own bully-like unorthodox way.

The critics’ outrage peaked when Trump began floating ideas about negotiating directly with Russia, often with little apparent regard for Zelensky’s input. To them, this is a betrayal of an ally. What Trump apparently sees however (based on his words and actions) is a conflict fueled and prolonged by American interests—billions in aid, a steady flow of weapons, and a strategic goal of “bleeding Russia dry” without risking American boots on the ground.

It’s a classic proxy war playbook, and Trump, true to his “America First” ethos (at least in this particular regard), wants out. Whether his approach is reckless or pragmatic depends on where one stands, but dismissing it as mere ego or ignorance overlooks the evidence that this war has indeed been shaped by American hands more than many would care to admit.

Consider, for one thing, the New York Times (NYT) story titled “The Partnership: The Secret........

© Blitz