The president of pretence: Why Trump’s latest ceasefire ‘trick’ failed its first test

October 12, 2026 — 10:06am

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Ukraine is in dire need of a ceasefire after the grim escalation in Russian strikes on its civilians over the past few months. But it is highly unlikely to submit to a ceasefire on punitive terms. And Donald Trump is in no position to force it to accept such a deal.

The US president desperately wants a ceasefire before Americans cast their votes at the midterm elections on November 3, given he has blamed the European war for pushing up the cost of diesel.

He even claims to have an energy truce agreement from both sides. As usual with this president, he is announcing a deal in the hope it happens.

It is a tired trick. It is unlikely to work. Instead, it is more likely to confirm Trump as the president of pretence.

For a ceasefire to matter, it needs to stick. Unfortunately, Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no sign of accepting an outcome that means halting his attacks on Ukrainian civilians. His recent decisions have increased casualties with deadlier strikes.

More than 150 people were killed and 700 injured by Russian drones, glide bombs and missiles over the past week, so there is a desperate need to stop the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is open to a truce. Putin chooses instead to intensify the war.

The instant proof of this was the fact that Russian attacks continued in the hours after Trump proclaimed an immediate energy ceasefire. One of the strikes, according to Ukrainian reports, was on a thermal power........

© Brisbane Times