Russian President Vladimir Putin may be delaying a peace deal with Ukraine, President Donald Trump recently admitted — although the U.S. president still says that Russia ultimately wants to end the war. As Trump works to broker a potential peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow, Ukraine and its allies accuse Putin of obstructing negotiations by presenting a series of delaying conditions.

Ukraine agreed to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire earlier this month, but Putin rejected it.

Watch the video above as Straight Arrow News contributor Matthew Continetti warns that Trump is making the same mistakes as in his first term — undermining Ukraine, appeasing Russia, and stepping into a familiar, well-laid trap with no easy way out.

The following is an excerpt from the above video:

The delusion persists. Ever since Vladimir Putin became Russia’s president in 2000, four U.S. presidents have wanted to be his friend and every time, the relationship ends in tears. President Trump is the latest suitor.

On February 18, he dispatched Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Saudi Arabia for meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The goal, set the table for peace talks on Ukraine and reduce tensions between America and Russia.

After several hours with Lavrov, Rubio was encouraged. He said that Russia was interested in ending the war and that a ceasefire might be the first step toward a new approach in U.S. policy toward Russia.

What that incredible opportunity might be, Rubio did not say, nor did he explain why Putin and his bag man Lavrov ought to be trusted. Indeed, today, Russia has taken no action that suggests it is truly interested in peace or a ceasefire. On the contrary, the Russian military has increased the tempo of its offensive operations.