Russia-Ukraine War: An Opening for Trump to Secure Peace. Putin Should Make a Deal

President Trump often touts the number of wars he’s ended, and notes that ending Russia’s war against Ukraine has been harder than he thought. The root of the problem is that Vladimir Putin is ideologically committed to his hostility against the United States and the West. This is why Trump’s strategy hasn’t worked. He has sought to appear impartial and demand that both sides compromise, focusing on territory in the Donbas, as if the war is a violent real estate dispute between feuding personalities.

But Ukraine (and Volodymyr Zelensky) is neither at fault for the cause nor for the continuation of the war, and if he surrendered the territory Russia demands, the war would continue and end in Ukraine’s total defeat. Only Putin can end the war by, at the very least, accepting a cease-fire. Ukraine and NATO could then focus on rebuilding their stocks and defense industrial capacity to deter further Russian aggression, especially as the U.S. urges Europe to help carry more of the burden of defense.

About the Author

Rebeccah Heinrichs

Rebeccah Heinrichs is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the director of Hudson’s Keystone Defense Initiative.

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President Trump often touts the number of wars he’s ended, and notes that ending Russia’s war against Ukraine has been harder than he thought. The root of the problem is that Vladimir Putin is ideologically committed to his hostility against the United States and the West. This is why Trump’s strategy hasn’t worked. He has sought to appear impartial and demand that both sides compromise, focusing on territory in the Donbas, as if the war is a violent real estate dispute between feuding personalities.

But Ukraine (and Volodymyr Zelensky) is neither at fault for the cause nor for the continuation of the war, and if he surrendered the territory Russia demands, the war would continue and end in Ukraine’s total defeat. Only Putin can end the war by, at the very least, accepting a cease-fire. Ukraine and NATO could then focus on rebuilding their stocks and defense industrial capacity to deter further Russian aggression, especially as the U.S. urges Europe to help carry more of the burden of defense.