holdover
.475 A&M Magnum
Trump wants the international respect ending that war woild garner.
His ego is legendary, but in many ways justified. That would certainly be a major feather in his cap.
His MO is negotiating deals. He has both carrots and sticks he can use to bring Zelensky to the table, for Putin, it's mostly down to sticks.
But Putin is playing this stupidly. He thinks he can just demand whatever he wants and expect Trump to force Zelensky to accept it.
Trump knows a good deal, and he believes there is something to be worked out. But if Putin refuses to negotiate, then Trump will have to hit him with the stick until he changes his mind.
Whether that's a love tap with the stick, or the decimation of all Russian forces in Ukraine literally over night probably depends on how much attitude Putin cops.
Putin can care less what Trump demands , He knows an attack by NATO means nuclear war . Trump cant do jack squat.