Trump Relies on Personal Diplomacy With Putin. The Result Is a Strategic Muddle.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” President Trump told reporters on Air Force One in mid-May, “until Putin and I get together.” Mr. Trump was making the argument that, for a problem as contentious as the Russian war in Ukraine, the only solution was a meeting of the minds of the leaders of the two superpowers, who could strike deals, knock heads and make it happen.