Donald Trump returns to the White House today amid huge expectations, esp. with regard to Ukraine. Since he was elected on Nov. 5, the tit-for-tat military escalation between the West and Russia reached its peak with approval by the Biden administration for Ukraine to use longer-range weapons to hit targets in Russia, and with the subsequent firing by Russia of an Oreshnik missile. Since then an escalation of expectations has taken over, with the substantial difference this time that it isn't tit for tat. This escalation is almost entirely on the side of Ukraine and its allies. Foreign Min. Jan Lipavský told MFD, for example, that Vladimir Putin fears Trump and that this can be an opportunity for Ukraine. ANO Chair Andrej Babiš told TV Prima that Patriots for Europe are waiting for Trump to end the war as he promised. Russia, however, is remaining firm in its demands. Those caught up in the escalation of expectations should recall that the military escalation rarely had the desired effect for Ukraine.