Terms of Ukraine’s Defeat, and Ours

Donald Trump has made it a personal ambition to end as many wars as possible. He did not, however, say that those wars had to end on terms favorable to the United States.

In Ukraine’s case, the president and his subordinates have shown too many indications to ignore that they want Russia’s war of conquest to end immediately, and the fastest way to do that is to appease the aggressor into temporarily backing away from its maximal expansionist objectives. It’s a devil’s pact, but it is one to which this administration is committed.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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Donald Trump has made it a personal ambition to end as many wars as possible. He did not, however, say that those wars had to end on terms favorable to the United States.

In Ukraine’s case, the president and his subordinates have shown too many indications to ignore that they want Russia’s war of conquest to end immediately, and the fastest way to do that is to appease the aggressor into temporarily backing away from its maximal expansionist objectives. It’s a devil’s pact, but it is one to which this administration is committed.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.