|Published March 24, 2025
Europe needs a security architecture that respects Russia’s interests.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on with devastating human and economic costs, calls for peace negotiations are growing louder. A recent article in The American Conservative argues that pursuing diplomatic solutions is not a betrayal of Ukraine but a strategic necessity to end the bloodshed and prevent further territorial loss. With Russia holding significant military advantages and Ukraine’s NATO membership increasingly unlikely, the article makes the case for why diplomacy, not prolonged warfare, may offer the best path forward.
The Battlefield Reality
The Ukraine conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, has now dragged into its third year, with no clear end in sight. The American Conservative article highlights the stark reality on the battlefield: Russia continues to hold substantial swaths of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region. Despite Western military aid, Ukraine faces daunting challenges in reclaiming these occupied areas.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently acknowledged this reality, describing the goal of Ukraine recapturing all its lost territory as “unrealistic” and urging policymakers to explore diplomatic alternatives. Prolonging the war, the article warns, could lead to further devastation without changing the military balance.
The NATO Question
One of Ukraine’s long-standing goals has been NATO membership, but that prospect now appears increasingly remote. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that President Donald Trump’s administration has effectively removed the issue from negotiation discussions, signaling a shift away from any immediate pathway to membership. Without the security guarantees that NATO membership would provide, Ukraine faces the difficult task of negotiating from a position of vulnerability.
A Pragmatic Peace Plan
The article suggests that a negotiated settlement could offer Ukraine a way to secure its sovereignty and rebuild its war-ravaged economy. While this may involve painful compromises, such as accepting Russian control over certain territories, it could also bring an end to the violence and establish Ukraine as a neutral state. This proposal echoes ideas put forth by Senator J.D. Vance, who has called for a ceasefire along current front lines, the creation of a demilitarized zone, and guarantees of Ukrainian neutrality.
Such a peace plan would aim to balance Ukraine’s right to self-determination with the need to de-escalate tensions and avoid a broader conflict involving NATO and Russia.
Critics and Challenges
Not everyone agrees with this approach. Critics argue that negotiating with Russia risks rewarding aggression and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes. However, the article points out that the alternative—continued warfare—could result in even greater losses for Ukraine and the possibility of permanent occupation of its territories by Russia.
Moreover, the article stresses that diplomacy does not mean appeasement. A negotiated peace would need to include international oversight, guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and mechanisms to hold Russia accountable for any violations.
A Path to Stability?
As the war drags on, it is becoming clear that military solutions alone may not achieve lasting peace. The American Conservative article calls for a shift in strategy, urging policymakers to prioritize diplomatic engagement and explore creative solutions to end the conflict.
The stakes could not be higher. A negotiated peace in Ukraine could stabilize the region, reduce the risk of further escalation, and provide a framework for rebuilding a country that has endured immense suffering. For Ukraine, for Europe, and for the world, the time may have come to give diplomacy a chance.
In a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, pursuing peace may not be a betrayal—it may be the only way forward.
SOURCES: THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE – Negotiating a Peace is Not a Betrayal of Ukraine
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL –Trump Russia Envoy Echoes Kremlin’s Views on Ukraine Ahead of Peace Talks
REUTERS – NATO membership for Ukraine not off the table, US official says
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