The Way Forward for Ukraine

"After the drama of Donald Trump's meetings with Vladimir Putin in Alaska and Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, DC, the prospect of a summit between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders remains elusive. Trump had once hoped to broker one, with himself as master of ceremonies. To his dismay, Putin has refused to commit to it. Recently, Trump seemed to push the idea that Zelensky and Putin ought to work it out between themselves."

"Throughout the war, Zelensky and his Western partners have shown much less interest in ceasefires or peace talks than in seeking Western weaponry to win the war. They stuck with the illusion that battlefield successes and economic sanctions would give them military victory over Russia. Morale among Ukrainian troops was higher than among their Russian counterparts because they were defending their homeland, and this, they claimed, would allow Ukraine to prevail over the Russian Goliath."

A meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky remains elusive despite earlier diplomatic engagements and hopes of brokering a summit. European leaders seek a substantive encounter rather than mere symbolism, insisting that Ukraine must be central to any decisions. Negotiations will require extensive preparation and may take years, mirroring prolonged peace processes like those that ended the Vietnam War. Zelensky and Western partners have prioritized Western weaponry and battlefield gains over ceasefires or talks, relying on morale and sanctions as paths to victory. Western media and commentators often avoid detailed reporting on casualties and draft-dodging, sustaining public morale.

Read at The Nation