Trump is the world’s greatest showman – and the weakest strongman it has ever seen | Jonathan Freedland

Donald Trump has brought Russia back from the diplomatic cold after three years of ostracism following Moscow ’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 .

The mere fact of that meeting gave Putin something he has long desired: parity with the US . It signalled that Washington regards Moscow as its equal.

The exclusion of Ukrainians from discussions to determine their own future is obviously an enormous concession to Putin .

Europe was not represented, even though they have a direct stake in what happens on their eastern frontier.

Jonathan Freedland : It is laughable for Trump to claim he is successfully negotiating an end to the war’ He says it is nothing more than a coerced surrender.

Trump has form in this area, the supposed master of the deal repeatedly giving away everything and getting nothing in return.

Trump may be the greatest showman, but he is the weakest strongman the world has ever seen.