By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Monday following the confirmation of the US’s commitment to supply Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. The discussions were described as “productive,” centering on enhancing Ukraine’s air defenses, establishing joint weapons production, and exploring avenues for peace. Zelensky emphasized the crucial role of US leadership in deterring Russian aggression, highlighting the need for stronger measures, including tougher sanctions, to halt Moscow’s actions.
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Moscow Won’t Stop Unless It’s Stopped by Force – Zelensky Warns in High-Stakes Talks With Kellogg, and frankly, it’s a sobering truth that needs to be absorbed. It’s not just about Russia, though that’s the immediate focus; this applies to any entity operating with imperial ambitions. The only language they comprehend is the language of power, of force.
It’s a dangerous game, this acknowledgment. The potential for escalation, the shadow of nuclear conflict – it’s all there, and it’s precisely what these aggressors are banking on. They’re hoping to use that fear to their advantage, to perpetuate a drawn-out conflict that will inevitably drag everyone down with them.
Zelensky is entirely correct in his assessment. Russia has never been a nation that prioritizes diplomacy, dialogue, or good-faith negotiations. Their approach is singular, relentless: the application of force and the relentless pursuit of their objectives. From the very beginning of this full-scale invasion, despite suffering significant losses, they’ve only doubled down on their demands, demanding Ukraine’s complete surrender and, in a broader sense, the disarmament of the West.
Currently, the price Russia wants for a “ceasefire” is exorbitant and completely unacceptable. They’re demanding Ukraine destroy all the weapons provided by Western allies, relinquish its strongest defensive positions, surrender major Ukrainian cities that they haven’t even been able to take through force, and even go as far as asking for NATO to withdraw from countries like Poland and the Baltic states. This is not a negotiation; it’s a blatant attempt at extortion.
The reality is that Russia is not acting in good faith, and the only way to bring them to the negotiating table in a meaningful way is to arm Ukraine with the military capabilities needed to inflict significant losses on the Russian forces, thereby forcing them to re-evaluate their position and potentially bargain in good faith. The current strategies employed by the US policymakers, it seems, are lacking. They are missing the critical piece of the puzzle, which is to equip Ukraine with what it needs to truly defend itself.
Why would Russia even consider stopping when they know Ukraine is heavily reliant on the support of the US and Europe? They understand the balance of power, the dependencies at play, and they’re fully exploiting those vulnerabilities. Until the West demonstrates a unified and unwavering commitment to defending Ukraine, including providing the necessary military assistance, Russia will see no reason to change its course.
We must act with purpose and with all of our combined strength. This includes providing Ukraine with the resources it needs to win and make Moscow understand that its objectives are not achievable. This will require a united front, unwavering resolve, and a willingness to act decisively.
If the international community truly wants to end this conflict, intervention must begin in Ukraine and ultimately, if necessary, the conflict should end in Moscow. The only way to ensure a long-term peace in the region is to ensure that Russia’s objectives are not achieved. This is the only way to ensure that peace and stability are maintained.