President Donald Trump’s policy toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine is, at least for the moment, a moral and strategic debacle. Effectively excusing Russia of responsibility for its utterly unjustified invasion of Ukraine, Trump has centered U.S. pressure solely on Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky was arrogant and foolish not to read the room in his meeting with Trump last week. Yet, avoiding any new sanctions on Russia to motivate its more serious concessions toward peace, Trump has sent President Vladimir Putin an unmistakable message: you have control.

On Wednesday, Trump suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine that is crucial in helping it detect, intercept, and protect its people against Russian attacks. Russia promptly thanked Trump for his generosity by firing a missile into a hotel in Zelensky’s hometown. Four people were killed and more than a dozen wounded. This is what Putin does when he wants to send a message. He cannot help but show Ukraine and everyone else that he believes Trump has handed him the initiative.