Trump's appetite for Russian appeasement puts the world at risk

US president's posture could embolden China to take harder line with American allies

U.S. President Donald Trump appears keen to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially stoking global instability. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)

HIROYUKI AKITA

December 6, 2025 20:48 JST

VILNIUS, Lithuania -- Ukraine has arrived at a critical juncture in its struggle to halt Russian aggression. On Nov. 21, U.S. President Donald Trump pressured Kyiv to accept a peace plan that aligned dangerously close to Moscow's demands. By requiring territorial concessions, a reduction of the Ukrainian military and the abandonment of NATO aspirations, the proposal was tantamount to surrender.