Summary of the Article:
This article draws a parallel between a false news report about a potential Soviet withdrawal from afghanistan in 1987 and current media coverage of potential peace deals with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. The author argues that both situations demonstrate a consistent failure by Western media and diplomats to understand the true nature of the Kremlin‘s goals: complete dominance and a zero-sum approach to diplomacy.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Historical Parallel: The author recounts how a Reuters report in 1987 falsely claimed progress towards ending the Afghan war. Experienced journalists on the ground immediately recognized the report as inaccurate, understanding that the Soviets were not genuinely interested in negotiation.
Putin’s Unchanging Goals: The author asserts that Putin’s objectives haven’t changed. He wants to redraw Ukraine’s borders, keep it out of NATO, and reassert Russian hegemony over Eastern Europe. Any “deal” he seeks involves maximizing territorial gains and control. Critique of Current Coverage: The author criticizes the American media for portraying recent summits as potential breakthroughs, even when no real possibility of a deal existed. They argue this demonstrates a continued naiveté about Putin’s intentions.
Trump’s Role: The article is highly critical of Trump’s interactions with Putin, specifically the Alaska summit. It suggests Trump provided Putin with a significant PR win and perhaps made concessions without transparency.
* Warning Against Normalization: The author concludes by referencing M. Gessen’s essay on surviving autocracy,emphasizing the danger of being misled by “small signs of normality.” A seemingly normal meeting between Trump and Putin should be viewed with extreme skepticism, as it likely signifies nothing positive or, worse, hidden concessions.
In essence, the article is a warning against wishful thinking and a call for a more realistic and hardened approach to dealing with Russia. It argues that understanding the fundamental nature of the Kremlin’s ambitions is crucial to avoiding further missteps in the Ukraine conflict.