Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine remain, regrettably, at a dead end, and nothing on the horizon suggests that the conclusion of the most senseless and unjust war of the modern era is anywhere near.
There is one clear reason for this. Putin’s Russia, which ignited this war, has no interest in ending it unless it first secures Ukraine’s complete capitulation and seizes every last inch of Ukrainian territory it covets. This is all the more so given that it feels no real pressure from its supposed counterweight, the United States. On the contrary, it sees the American president shielding it and effectively grabbing Ukraine by the throat, demanding surrender through threats and coercion.
What we have been witnessing in recent days is a farce of negotiations. Or rather, a genuine tragedy. An exercise in absurdity and the complete debasement of any notion of justice.
The United States is attempting to persuade Europeans and Ukrainians alike to consent to Ukraine’s humiliation and surrender, while “Tsar” Putin sits undisturbed in his palaces, waiting for the good news to reach him. And as he waits, he continues relentlessly to bomb infrastructure and civilian targets across Ukraine, killing civilians in apartment blocks and residential buildings. Women, children and the elderly are being killed even as they sleep. He believes this will break Ukrainian morale. And the more it fails to do so, the more brutal and bloodthirsty he becomes.
Can we seriously speak of peace in Ukraine while Putin is allowed to raze the country and annihilate its people without restraint? Can we speak of negotiations when the aggressor and invader is absent from the negotiating table, and pressure and threats are directed exclusively at the victim?
It is clear that Ukrainians have come to terms with the fact that the war must end and are prepared for an honest and dignified compromise. They are willing to abandon their bid to join NATO, but they demand credible security guarantees for the day after, given Russia’s aggression and proven unreliability. They also understand that some of their territory seized by Russia will remain under Russian control, though not to the extent demanded by Putin, and they accept a number of other painful Russian terms.
The question, however, is this. What concessions has the invading Russia made in this so-called negotiation so far? Absolutely none. And it will make none in the future as long as it feels no pressure whatsoever from American negotiators and as long as Trump continues to adopt a Pontius Pilate stance.
If Trump truly wants to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, now is the moment to apply real military and economic pressure on Russia. Otherwise, Putin will continue to mock him and to commit crimes against Ukraine.