Bloomberg Businessweek Trump’s Ukraine Plan Faces New Obstacles After Putin Call
Dec 29, 2025
Dr. Angela Stent, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute with extensive experience in Russian policy, and Henrietta Treyz, Managing Partner at Veda Partners and former U.S. Senate staffer, tackle the complexities of Trump's approach to Ukraine. They discuss Putin's shifting negotiation stance and how it complicates the peace process. Stent highlights Ukraine's challenges amid winter pressures, while Treyz connects foreign policy decisions to domestic economic impacts, emphasizing the wider implications for the 2026 elections.
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Two Competing Peace Plans Leave Big Gaps
- Negotiations on Ukraine show two competing peace plans with major gaps in the final 10% of terms.
- Angela Stent warns Russia may string talks along while showing no real intent to stop the war.
Territory Is A Means, Not The End
- Putin's territorial demands aim beyond land to subjugate Ukraine and prevent Western alignment.
- Stent says neutrality and political control are Moscow's strategic goals, not just border changes.
Winter And Manpower Favor Russia
- Ukrainians face acute manpower and weapons shortages while Russia exploits winter and energy attacks.
- Stent argues time favors Russia as Ukraine struggles with infrastructure and recruitment constraints.