LOS ANGELES (OC).–Thanking Germany for supplying more U.S.-made Patriot Missiles, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky showed no signs that he’s working on a peace settlement, only arming his country to counter the over three-and-a-half year Ukraine War. Russian invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, 2022, after former President Joe Biden continued to supply Ukraine lethal weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Biden to discuss new security arrangements for Ukraine for months before the invasion, eventually resulting in Putin saying he would initiate a “special military operation” to demilitarize Ukraine. Putin warned Biden that if he didn’t stop arming Ukraine he would implement his special military operation. Three-and-a-half years later, Ukraine has lost some 25% of its sovereign territory to the Russian Federation with no signs that the war is letting up.
Putin and President Donald Trump have met or talked numerous times about implementing a peace plan in Ukraine based on nearly four years of war. Putin has laid out clearly his demands in any settlement, requiring Ukraine to surrender territory currently in Russian control. Zelensky has refused with the European Union partners to make an concessions in any peace plan, essentially sabotaging Trump’s months long efforts to bring about peace. So, where it stands now Zelensky continues to beef up his air defenses and long-range missile capability, nothing in the way of peace plans. “I thank Germany and personally Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz for this joint step to protect hima lives from Russian terror,” Zelensky said, showing he’s on a war footing, certainly not looking for peace. Trump was 90% to a peace plan with Russia, completely rejected by Zelensky and the EU.
Zelensky thinks having Patriot missiles or long-range missiles help save Ukrainian lives and infrastructure, something preposterous. What kind of peace plan is that? It’s no peace plan at all just letting Putin know that he’s in the war for the long haul, something NATO military chief Giussepe Dragone said recently. NATO has an annual budget of $4.2 billion, a drop in the bucket when it comes to funding the Ukraine War. Instead of sparing his country more death and destruction, Zelensky has the temerity to think he can take on the Russian Federation but only if the U.S. or EU foots the bill. Trump gave Zelensky an out to perpetual war, something Zelensky rejects because he doesn’t want to make land concessions to Putin. Well, if he didn’t want to loose land and destroy his country, why did he opt for war with the Kreimlin Feb. 24, 2022, instead of negotiating with Putin?
Putin actually wanted very little in 2022, only the independence of Russian enclaves in Donetsk and Luhansk plus Russian sovereignty over Crimea. Crimea was lost to Ukraine after a Feb. 22, 2014 pro-Western coup toppled the Kremlin-backed Kiev government of Viktor Yanukovych. Putin annexed Crimea March 1, 2014 to protect in military assets in Crimea, including his Black Sea naval base. Zelensky opted for war with the Kremlin, rejecting Putin’s offer in March 2022 to settle the conflict if Zelensk recognized the independence of Russian enclaves in Donetsk and Luhansk plus Russian sovereignty over Crimea. Zelensy rejected Putin’s offer and went to war with the Kremlin. Three-and-a-half years later, Putin has seized 25% of Ukraine’s best sovereign territory. Zelensky wants it all back but only by continuing the war.
Zelensky thinks getting more Patriot missiles or long-range missiles will hasten the day when he can return his lost sovereign territory. As long as keeps fighting, Putin can’t say he controls Ukraine sovereign territory. But actually Putin does control the territory, controlling the 1,200 km battlefront, continuing, day-by-day, to seize more Ukrainian land. Zelensky hasn’t learned that continuing to fight the Kremlin will only result in more death and destruction to Ukraine. No matter how much he fights back, hitting Russia’s oil infrastructure deep inside Ukraine, Putin continued to marshal the military firepower to resist any Ukrainian advance. Trump told Zelensky to cut his losses, end the conflict and start the costly and lengthy process of rebuilding his country. If Zelensky’s EU backers were defending Ukraine, they would have him go to the peace table to settle the conflict.
Zelensky shows only signs that he wants to continue the Ukraine War, thanking Germany for supplying more Patriot missiles. “Talks on futhrer join steps to strengthen air-defenses are ongoing—both at the governmental leval and directly with the manufacturers of the necessary systems,” Zelensky said, only looking to keep the fight going. Zelensky can’t possibly think that he’s going to vanquish the Russian Federation, with all of Putin’s firepower. Yet the EU encourages and funds Zelensky to keep fighting. Trump was within 90% of a peace deal with Putin, until the EU stepped in and said they do not support ceding any land to Russia. Trump should not blame Putin for the lack of progress. He should blame Zelensky for rejecting common sense and the only peace plan that would end the conflict. Zelensky doesn’t need more weapons, he needs awareness.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
