January 1, Trump Pushes Russia-Ukraine Deal as Voters Lose Patience

Wyatt’s Take

• Trump tries again for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal, but Americans want him to fix problems at home first.
• The newest peace proposal gives much away to Russia, making it a tough sell for Ukraine.
• Polls show voters are tired of foreign wars and want a focus on the heartland.

President Trump is stepping up efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, but more Americans are pressing him to deal with domestic issues instead.

His earlier promise to end the Ukraine War quickly fell flat, with no final deal after several proposals and talks with both sides.

The latest reported plan, put together by American and Russian officials, calls for Ukraine to give up the Donbas region, accept Russian as an official language, and cut back its military.

It also bans foreign troops in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials, quoted in the press, called the plan a

“non-starter”

that heavily favors Russia.

The push for a deal looks driven by Americans losing patience with foreign conflicts.

Polls show 51.7% of voters think Trump is too focused on foreign issues and not doing enough at home.

Only 18.3% see him as too focused on America’s problems.

Pollster Richard Baris said unrest at home is hurting Trump among his supporters.

“For the record, THIS is why Republicans were not motivated by Charlie’s assassination. THIS is why they don’t give a sh$% about what is happening in Israel, in Ukraine, wherever,”

he said.

“Their own country is under attack. Their own lives are in danger. On U.S. soil.”

Baris described fights inside the GOP as a battle between old war supporters and those opposed to more involvement overseas.

“Again, this fight is really about members of a failed party wanting to use the presidency of the one who resurrected it to advance it’s (sic) unpopular and failed agenda at the expense of the voters who actually voted for him, and don’t support it,”

he said.

Trump’s Ukraine approach is not winning much favor, with only 35.3% of people approving.

Most disapprove, and his overall foreign policy numbers are also underwater.

On top of that, some of his own party are unhappy with the proposal, saying it gives Russia too much and leaves out allies in Europe.

Representative Don Bacon voiced these concerns, posting:

“I totally disagree with the Administration negotiating w/ the Russians & not the Ukrainians, and their plan to demand the Ukrainians accept the agreement as a ‘fait accompli.’ Not involving the Europeans is foolish. The U.S. did this too with South Vietnam & the Afghan Government. This sounds like 1938 Munich.”

It’s not clear if Ukraine or voters will go for this deal, and the push for progress may end up pleasing no one.

Wyatt Matters

Folks in Middle America want leaders who put their needs first. Too much focus on foreign problems leaves families here feeling forgotten. Real strength starts at home, not overseas.

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