by George Scutaru
Despite the momentum gained at the end of 2025 in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, driven by President Donald Trump, there is no sign of a compromise acceptable to both sides.
The issue of territorial concessions demanded by Russia from Ukraine and the need for firm security guarantees for Ukraine, guarantees that would also be acceptable to Russia, appear to be a difficult impasse at this stage. Russia will not begin real negotiations until the moment when pressure on its energy production projects affects its revenues for the war. A policy of concessions toward Russia will not make Russia a more flexible interlocutor and will instead encourage Putin to raise the stakes in his demands. U.S. pressure must focus on Russia, not on Ukraine. An overly conciliatory attitude toward Russia will give Putin the impression that a policy of dividing spheres of influence is possible, with the stakes being not only Ukraine’s territorial integrity but also Europe’s security architecture.
