Best of the Spectator Americano: will peace in Ukraine elude Trump?
Oct 25, 2025
Owen Matthews, a seasoned Russia correspondent and author, dives deep into the complexities of the Ukraine war. He discusses the stark differences between Trump and Putin's strategies, emphasizing that Putin aims for regime change rather than territorial control. Matthews also explains why President Zelensky cannot afford to surrender key positions in Donetsk. He highlights the West's perennial misreading of Russian motives and the dangers of nuclear escalation, shedding light on the intricacies of diplomacy in this ongoing conflict.
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Fundamental Mismatch Over What Russia Wants
- Putin's demands focus on regime change, demilitarisation and preventing a pro-Western Ukraine, not mere land swaps.
- Trump treats the problem as 'property' disputes over front lines, missing Moscow's security-driven goals.
Why Donetsk Concessions Are Impossible
- Zelensky cannot cede key Donetsk positions for political, operational and strategic reasons without collapsing Ukraine's defence.
- Putin demands those concessions knowing they are impossible, using talks to buy time and grind Ukraine down.
Tomahawks Won't Automatically Break Russia
- Massive Western strikes (Tomahawks) are unlikely to coerce Russia because Russia has already absorbed thousands of similar missiles.
- Russia's vast, dispersed territory makes economic and strike pressure far less decisive than against Ukraine.