WASHINGTON, DC

“FOR ALL THOSE still looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses, this is what military defeat looks like.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman was not smiling when he spoke, he was, he insisted, merely stating the obvious. His country and the United States of America were discussing peace in Ukraine over the heads of the leaders of Ukraine.

“The Ukrainians were always the puppets of Washington, even if they didn’t realize it. Now Washington has had enough of the puppet show. Poor ratings. Time to cancel. When the Americans back you, you have to produce results, and quickly, or they lose interest and just cancel you. Ask any of their allies in recent times. Ukraine was never an existential issue for the United States; it was a way to kick Russia. It has been for us an existential experience. And for the Ukrainians, I suppose. Zelensky, he has been brave, I concede that, and his soldiers, they have fought well; but he made the mistake of believing the Americans would stay with him to the very end. Now Trump finds him an inconvenience. The blame and bad-mouthing begins with the word, loser. Perhaps they might let him serve the coffee next time we talk.”