Hillbilly version: Peace will come before I take office. Deals will be made. Trump will be ignored again. His deal making ability does not extend to those which he cannot bully. His latest attempt, Putin in Alaska, will get the same results as his previous attempts at peace between Russia and Ukraine. This does not mean it should not be attempted. What is different this time in the negotiation? How can negotiations between two countries be successful if both countries are not involved? Land acquisition or border expansion by both countries resulted in an ongoing battle since 2014. Each side upholds their position as correct. Ukraine reestablished constitutional provisions and held elections following massive citizen protest. Russia claims it was a coop and their efforts are in support of the real government. Who knows?

Thus, the peace effort is worth the effort but don’t expect different results this time. It is not going to happen. War is to profitable to conclude. Especially if the deaths occurring are not citizens of your country. Short interludes or cease fires are just that. The intervention of third parties, in this case, does not change the reasons for the war. New partnerships have resulted as third parties take positions in the conflict.

Since both parties are not involved in the discussion, the results will not be binding on either.