Member-only story
Make A Deal, Zelensky?
Why I Think Ukraine Might Sue For Peace While It’s Winning — And Why That Take Has Cost Me
For five years, I followed and wrote about the Ukraine War (more than a hundred essays). I’ve never changed my mind on this. What Putin did was wrong — inexcusable. Russia should pull out of Ukraine.
How often does anyone do what they should do? How much can we expect from Putin? Who will admit being wrong — especially a politician — if that admission will be used against them? One will only do something different if they can do it saving face. Otherwise, both sides remain locked in struggle.
Putin probably doesn’t remember all the reasons why he started the Special Military Operation. No one knows how it’s going to end. Not Putin, not Zelensky, no one.
Here’s what I wonder. Should Ukraine negotiate now, while it still has leverage?
Ukraine cannot fight Russia off on its own. It doesn’t have domestic oil and gas. It doesn’t have Russia’s industrial capacity. Ukraine is running roughly a $30 billion annual deficit which the U.S. and Europe pay into.
Ukraine cannot trust Europe, either (look at what the U.S. did).
Europe can’t function without Russian oil and gas. Yes, it has replaced Russian resources…
