Make US strong again they said. Make people fear us. Look at all of our tanks rolling through the streets of Washington DC on parade (a dull, lifeless parade with no live music that even the President’s supporters couldn’t stick around to see). But when it comes to the one conflict involving a superpower (in Ukraine), this administration has made us look like nothing other than that big dog on the street that barks loud and cowers when confronted.

Early on in the administration, Ukraine (and its President Zelenskyy) has been used as a whipping boy. The President and his advisors took every opportunity to bully them, when it came to arms purchases and rare earth mineral rights. The President attempted to assert that he was in charge of the fate of Ukraine (despite the assertions from the rest of Europe that could feel the velcro of the US strategic coupling stripping away). He ‘had the cards’, after all.

Ukraine saw it differently. They could be a strategic partner to others, but after 3 years of war against a much greater army (Russia), they would hold their own. Even after the embarrassment at the White House, Ukraine launched a significant drone attack deep inside Russia to substantial effect – all without the US support. Yes, they desired the more advanced defensive weapons from the US (and offensive long-range weapons as well, if the US was willing), but they would defend their country one way or the other.

So the tone of the US government shifted. They got a minerals deal with Ukraine (although much more favorable to Ukraine than what the administration touted). And suddenly the US was concerned about the loss of innocent lives in Ukraine. The President began to focus on finding peace. He elevated himself as a ‘mediator’ in the matter (although most mediators don’t supply arms to one side over the other). President Trump sees himself as a peacemaker, as opposed to seeing the United States as a peacemaker. It’s all about getting a ‘deal’ – and everybody wants a deal, don’t they? (Well maybe not the country that started the war in the first place.)

So begins the most recent diplomatic foray for the US, and personally for the President. Unlike other high level diplomatic efforts of the past, where heads of state meet in person only after difficult issues have been ironed out in advance, President Trump envisions himself as the personal savior for the country (after all, he was going to end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours). So President Putin is invited to Alaska (where he likely could see Russia’s next target for correcting the wrongs of the past and re-establishing the Russian Empire) to seek a ceasefire, only to abandon it after talking with Putin for a few hours. But as President Trump indicated that there is broad agreement for peace and further peace talks, Russia has come out and directly rejected this. If anything, there is a broad agreement for continued war – Russian strikes on apartment buildings and commercial enterprises (including a US owned electronics manufacturer). Ukraine counterstrikes with drones, one that hits a nuclear power plant. Peace is very achievable, Vice President Vance?

The US takes the position that Ukraine will give land for peace. Land which includes the area in Donetsk that contains so much of the mineral deposits that the President said were critical to the national security of the US. A US manufacturer is bombed in Ukraine – the Vice-President says it is unfortunate, but won’t cast aspersions on the aggressor (Russia) that bombed them and claimed that it was a military target. Russia says no to a ceasefire and the US says ‘whatever you say’. The week concludes and the United States is only weaker for it.

And the national disgrace continues…