LOS ANGELES (OC).–Speaking to a meeting with Russian military commanders in Northwestern Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia has seized another 4,900 km in 212 localities along the 1,200 km [775 miles] battlefront that continues to lose sovereign territory for Ukraine. Ukraine’s 47-year-old President Volodymyr Zelensky has been defiant with the European Union backers, saying he won’t surrender any territory in any peace plan to the Russian Federation. Putin confirmed that Ukraine continues to lose sovereign territory by the day, making the urgency of peace all the more pressing. President Donald Trump has urged Zelensky to cut his losses and settle the conflict by trading land-for-peace. So far, Zelensky has rejected such a plan.
Knowing the facts on the ground, it’s inconceivable that the EU thinks by supplying more cash-and-arms to Ukraine they can meet their objective to force Putin to retreat. “At this time, the Russian armed forces fully hold th strategic initiative,” according to a Kremlin transcript of the meeting. “This year, we have liberated nearly 5,000 square km of territory—4,900-and 212 localities. So, given the fact on the ground, what’s the EU doing backing Zelensky to keep the war going. Every time Ukraine is hit with more Russian drone and missile strikes killing civilians and destroying infrastructure, Zelensky looks to the EU and U.S. to do more in the conflict.
What does Zelensky think the EU and U.S. can do to reverse the current trend that shows Moscow advancing to the battlefield, taking more Ukrainian sovereign territory daily? EU officials led by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer have refused to negotiate with Putin, instead keep funding the war. Macron, Merz and Starmer have discussed post-war security. Without a peace plan, Ukraine stands to lose more sovereign land and destroy its infrastructure. Brussels hasn’t figured out that more cash-and-arms cannot save Ukraine. Putin is ready to negotiate just not on Zelensky’s terms. Negotiation and compromise are the only way out of the current conflict. Trump told Zelensky to cut his losses Feb. 28.
What good is post-war security arrangements when the war continues unabated, with no plan to end the war. Zelensky wants no part of any plan that doesn’t have Russian troops leaving Ukraine without conditions. Putin of course will not leave territory or spoils of war until there’s a legitimate negotiation where he gets what he wants. Putin, early on in the conflict March 2022, offered Zelensky peace in exchange for Russian independence in Donetsk and Russian sovereignty over Crimea. Putin seized Crimea March 1, 2014 after an bloodless pro-Western coup toppled the duly elected government of Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced capturing two more villages on the front, now extending 1,250 kilometers [775 miles], showing that Zelensky continues to lose sovereign land by the day. So, when you think of the EU plan to fund Zelensky’s war with the Kremlin, what’s it doing to Ukraine. Zelenky complains daily about the barbaric nature of the war but does nothing, as Trump suggested, to end the war through negotiation and compromise. It’s foolish to think that Zelensky can keep pretending he’s winning the war. He’s lost some 25% of Ukraine’s best sovereign territory over the last three-and-a-half years. Zelensky needs to come to his senses.
Russian Army General Valery Gerasimov confirmed that Russia forces were “advancing in practically all directions,” with Ukrainian troops primarily focused on slowing the Russian advance. What’s more clear to the EU that they cannot win the war with the Russian Federation either with more economic sanctions or supplying Ukraine more cash-and-arms. Trump’s way with negotiation-and-compromise is the only way out of the current conflict. Putin confirmed that his “special military operation” was working to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine. Zelensky refuses to admit defeat because he fears a coup d’etat after years of telling the Ukrainian people he’s winning the war.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of DodgingThe Bullet and Operation Charisma.
