He is brilliant. Donald Trump’s plan to end the Ukraine-Russian war in 24 hours has been released. Finally, we now find out Donald’s strategy, his international relations plan has been outlined, it is out there now for us to review.

So Trump reckons he can bring both parties to the negotiation table with the threat to Ukraine of not supplying weapons if they refuse to negotiate. Trump also threatened to supply more weapons to Ukraine if Russia refused to negotiate. The problem Ukraine has faced is the initial refusal to supply the weapons it needs to push for outright victory. Instead, Ukraine has been supplied just enough weapons to not capitulate to Russian aggression.

Had Ukraine been supplied with the weapons it required, when they had the advantage on the battlefield, they could have pushed harder for victory. Ukraine lacked armoured vehicles including main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery, long range missiles and fighter aircraft. Then winter came, there was a lull in possible advances and Russia was allowed time to construct multi-layered defensives including trenches, minefields and dragon teeth obstacles.

The rate of advance is slower than anticipated based on their pre-winter gains, they really took some serious territory back in a short amount of time as Russian forces collapsed. The summer counter-offensive has been slower than many expected. This is because we thought Ukraine would break through in a similar fashion as they did at the end of the last European summer. Try telling that to the Ukrainian warriors on the front lines under constant attack from the Russian army.

Had NATO been more proactive in the early stages of the war, Ukraine could have pressed their advantage to outright victory. They have a tough task ahead now with no air support for a combined arms offensive. Their forces are exposed to Russian missiles and shelling. Fortunately Russia does not enjoy air superiority, they are losing aircraft to Ukrainian air defences and use their aircraft in a supporting role.

So if elected, what will Trump do? There have been numerous war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russian forces, this is not a simple case of walking away. What I would expect to see is Russia stepping back from Ukraine during a peace settlement, rearming themselves and reinvading Ukraine. Let’s face it, Russia has form here, they did it previously and Putin will be emboldened, he knows the west is too weak and fragmented to stand up to him. We will all lose with a revitalised and belligerent Russia.