How Trump can get himself out of his Ukrainian pickle — and end the war as promised

Recent moves by the Trump administration have called into question 11 years of US opposition to Russia ’s aggression against Ukraine .

Julian Zelizer: Critics say Trump has always had an affection, or a blind spot, for autocrats, particularly Vladimir Putin .

He says if Trump 's aim hasn't been to sell out Ukraine , what explains his team's recent rhetoric and actions? Zelizer says.

This could get Trump out of his pickle, and put the onus for peace back where it belongs: on the Kremlin . The Trump team could expedite this by making clear in public that, in fact, Russia is the aggressor. And the Zelensky team can keep things on track by conveying any concerns it has with the Trump team’s tactics in private channels. John Herbst , former ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan , is senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center ..