(MOSCOW) – Former White House global engagement director Bret Bruen has warned that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin must be “knocked down a few pegs” before any meaningful progress can be made on peace talks in Ukraine. Speaking after the cancellation of a meeting between US envoy Steve Wickoff, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Bruen criticised attempts to treat the Russian dictator as a “strong man” in global diplomacy.
The US delegation returned to Washington from Moscow reportedly empty-handed, highlighting the challenges in engaging a leader who continues to manipulate negotiations to his advantage. NATO chief Mark Rutte said Donald Trump is the only individual who could break the deadlock, a claim met with scepticism by analysts. Meanwhile, the European Commission proposed using emergency EU powers to seize frozen Russian assets to fund a £90 billion ($110 billion) reparations package for Ukraine.
Bruen suggested that repeated diplomatic missions by US officials, including Kushner, have allowed Putin to use them as props in Russian propaganda, undermining genuine efforts for peace. He warned that Trump has consistently misread Putin’s intentions and is playing into the Kremlin’s hands, potentially prolonging the conflict and weakening Western unity.
According to Bruen, Russia’s leadership is vulnerable due to internal mismanagement and corruption. Fires on industrial centres and economic pressures indicate cracks in Moscow’s control, which, if highlighted to Russian citizens through information campaigns, could shift the calculus in negotiations. He emphasised that messaging to ordinary Russians about their government’s failings could create pressure on Putin, who remains highly concerned with his personal power.
Bruen stressed that Kushner and Wickoff, despite experience in Middle East negotiations, are severely outmatched against a former KGB veteran skilled in manipulation and propaganda. A strategic approach that exposes the Russian dictator’s weaknesses, rather than treating him as an invincible actor, is essential to advancing peace talks and protecting Ukrainian sovereignty.
Key Issues in Recent US-Russia-Ukraine Diplomacy
| Issue | Situation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US Delegation Visit | Moscow | No progress, meeting with Zelenskyy cancelled |
| Trump’s Role | Potential mediator | Analysts sceptical; repeatedly misreads Putin |
| EU Proposal | Frozen Russian assets | £90 billion ($110 billion) to support Ukraine |
| Russian Vulnerabilities | Corruption, mismanagement | Fires, economic pressure highlight cracks |
| Diplomacy Challenge | US envoys vs KGB-trained dictator | Outmatched in experience and strategy |
