Claudiu Secara

It seems to me that Putin’s team has miscalculated by a huge margin. Trump’s original offer was for a 30 days ceasefire, the recognition of Donbass and Crimes as Russian gains (with some caveats), postponing Ukraine’s NATO membership indefinitely (but maybe EU membership on some undefined timeline), lifting of the sanctions and the restoration of the relationships, travel, even restoration of G8.

And Putin’s counteroffer? Nyet! We want all of Ukraine, and Transnistria and Moldova (for a start).

I am afraid that this misjudgement by Putin and the self-delusional Russian national hubris, a Russian character, while playing incessantly the WWII victory orgy, might cost Russians dearly in the long run, possibly the loss of their empire. This will become a tragedy for Russia.