In a world where unpredictability seems to be the norm, Donald Trump’s reactions stand out for their predictability. When faced with issues related to Ukraine and Russia, Trump’s responses become more apparent. Recently, former Senator Marco Rubio, now serving as Secretary of State, engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to address the ongoing conflict resulting from Russia’s invasion. During a news conference, Rubio and Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, praised Trump while announcing a temporary ceasefire agreement with Ukraine. However, Rubio diverged from Trump’s usual rhetoric by commending Ukraine’s steps towards peace and highlighting Russia as a potential obstacle.

Contrary to Rubio’s diplomatic approach, Trump has a history of blaming Ukraine for the conflict and expressing reluctance towards imposing sanctions on Russia, despite the latter’s repeated breaches of international law. Trump’s inclination to shift blame extends beyond Ukraine to previous U.S. presidents, attributing past geopolitical crises to their administrations. Furthermore, Trump’s favoritism towards Russian President Vladimir Putin is evident, as he downplays Russian aggression and deflects responsibility for any negative repercussions.

Rubio’s mature and sensible diplomacy contrasts sharply with Trump’s penchant for dramatic and attention-seeking behavior, often likened to a reality TV show. While Rubio emphasizes the seriousness of international affairs, Trump seemingly views his presidential tenure as a scripted television series with himself as the triumphant protagonist. As future episodes unfold, Trump and Putin are likely to maintain their heroic roles, while figures like Ukrainian President Zelenskyy may continue to be portrayed as antagonists in Trump’s narrative.