Putin is still pulling Trump's strings - but they can be cut

The new 'peace deal' proposed by the White House and the Kremlin is really just a blueprint for Russian conquest, but Sam Kiley explains why it doesn't have to be that way

- By Sam Kiley

He let the performance play out. Donald Trump would give the impression of independence from the Kremlin, threatening sanctions on Russian fuel importers and muttering insults. But in the end, Vladimir Putin has snapped the puppet strings tight, and the US president is again dancing the Moscow jig.

It is a desperate but effective move by Moscow to dominate the terms of discussion over a war Russia cannot win.

According to a 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine briefed to the media on Wednesday, the US and Russia have agreed that Kyiv should give up a vast tract of the east of the country, halve its army, abandon its constitutionally mandated Nato membership application and give up any weapons that could be used in its future defence.

Initially rejected by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, the plan is identical to the Russian-centric American plans of the past, and takes no account of the persistent refusal of Putin to accept the offer from Ukraine of an immediate ceasefire.

It is entirely based on the false premise that Ukraine cannot win its defensive war against Russia; that sooner or later, concessions are inevitable.

Last night, Zelensky appeared to soften his opposition to the plan, writing on Telegram: “Our teams - Ukraine and the USA - will work on the points of the plan to end the war. We are ready for constructive, honest and prompt work.”

Zelensky’s office did not comment directly on the content of the 28-point plan, which has not been published, but said he had “outlined the fundamental principles that matter to our people”.