Nobody wants to start WWIII

which is perhaps why President Putin still believes he can get away with snatching territory. 

Yes, he might have had to "fight" for it but he clearly believes he is big enough and strong enough to get away with it. He simply does not care if a few people get hurt on the way. It doesn't matter if it costs him a little. The prize is too big for that.

I have met someone who has spent some hours in the company of President Putin. This person has met many, many world leaders over the years. It is part of their job to do just that. This is what they had to say, "He is the most frightening person I have ever met. There is no warmth to him at all even when he appears to be smiling. He is completely cold, vicious and brutal."

This came from someone who has met Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin and Robert Mugabe, the Kims in North Korea and others. They were "not nice people" but Putin is worse.

Why then is President Trump suggesting that Ukraine should simply surrender to President Putin's demands? The answer is not a desire for an end to the war of course. It is about power, oil and trade. It is about Trump's own business interests in Russia itself.

Putin wants the old USSR back. Moving into Ukraine is just a step in that direction. Denying them NATO membership is essential if that is to occur. He won't move immediately but he will make it impossible for Ukraine to survive. There will be a "referendum" of some sort to suggest that the people of Ukraine have willingly rejoined the union and then there will be other moves. It is a long term plan but Putin believes he has time and right on his side. He really believes he can simply take over again.

It is why he must not be allowed to succeed this time and it is why Europe must not allow him to succeed. Ukraine has really been fighting alone - and that has to stop.