Fyodor Lukyanov: Ukraine, Russia, and the West’s fatal miscalculation
RTFEB 22
Trump Hosts Macron Amid Russia-Ukraine Peace Discussions
Above: French Pres. Emmanuel Macron meets with Pres. Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Monday, Feb 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford/Contributor/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump's meeting with Macron was a masterclass in American strength. Macron came to plead for Ukraine, but Trump, always the dealmaker, kept his focus on ensuring that Europe steps up. Trump made it clear that the US won't continue to foot the bill while Europe profits from loan agreements. By dismissing Macron's platitudes, Trump reaffirmed that America is done being taken advantage of and that Europe must take responsibility for Ukraine's future.
Anti-Trump narrative
Macron's visit was a skillful example of managing Trump's unpredictable behavior to safeguard Ukrainian and European interests. Balancing diplomacy with firm fact-checking, Macron pushed back on Trump's misleading claims while maintaining strategic rapport. His delicate approach aimed to secure a fair, long-lasting agreement for Ukraine — showing that true leadership is about guiding even the most difficult of allies.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has consistently been open to peaceful dialogue, as Putin has expressed, and is ready to engage with the US on mutually beneficial terms. The West’s relentless push to expand NATO, despite Russia’s repeated warnings, has left Ukraine trapped in a dangerous geopolitical struggle. If the West had respected Russia’s security concerns, much of today’s conflict could have been avoided.