By Matt Underwood Zelenskiy says he won’t sign weak deal that will only prolong war because he understands the stakes and the nature of the adversary he faces. He knows that any deal that concedes territory or fails to guarantee Ukraine’s full sovereignty and right to defend itself is, in essence, a betrayal. Such a deal wouldn’t bring lasting peace; it would merely offer Russia a strategic pause to regroup, rearm, and launch a new offensive. The memory of Putin’s broken promises and disregard for international agreements, including the 1994 Budapest Memorandum where Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees, is fresh in his mind. He cannot afford to make the same mistake again.
He recognizes that Putin’s goals extend far beyond the Donbas region; the ultimate aim is the complete subjugation of Ukraine. Any negotiation that doesn’t fully account for this will inevitably fail. Furthermore, Zelenskiy is acutely aware of the global implications of such a deal, and the precedent it would set for other nations facing aggressive expansionism. Giving in to aggression today only emboldens it tomorrow, and it demonstrates that aggression pays.
Zelenskiy is not just a leader; he is a symbol of resistance against tyranny, and his actions reflect that. He stands as the primary obstacle to Putin’s ambitions and has no intention of making concessions that would compromise Ukraine’s independence. He understands that a deal negotiated with a figure like Trump, who is viewed by many as sympathetic to Putin, wouldn’t be in Ukraine’s best interest. Such a deal would likely be designed to serve Trump’s interests and ego, rather than guarantee the enduring security and prosperity of Ukraine.
The only way to achieve a lasting peace is a deal that recognizes Ukraine’s right to exist as a free and sovereign nation, with its own borders and the ability to defend them. This is not just a matter of military strategy, but also a moral imperative. Any agreement that does not recognize Ukraine’s right to exist as a free and sovereign nation would only serve to perpetuate the conflict. A frozen conflict, with Russian forces controlling Ukrainian territory, would be a disaster for Ukraine, a tragedy for the world.
Zelenskiy understands that Putin can have peace at any moment; all he must do is withdraw his forces. He also realizes that any deal will always benefit both the US and Russia, no matter how long it takes. Zelenskiy knows the historical patterns that tell him that this is just another episode in the long tale of conflict. So, he is focused on doing all he can to bring this conflict to an end.
The situation is incredibly challenging, however, and it’s important to acknowledge the difficulties. Ukraine is losing a significant number of troops each month, and raising the conscription age is deeply unpopular. While they continue to put up a brave and resilient defense, the reality is that the situation is very difficult. This means that a viable plan needs to be developed to address these issues.
Zelenskiy’s refusal to sign a weak deal isn’t a simple matter of stubbornness; it is a calculated decision based on a deep understanding of the realities of the situation. It is also important to note that a peace deal should be negotiated by the warring sides, although this is unlikely to happen because Russia does not want peace, it wants conquest and submission. The hope for Ukraine is that the US Congress will rebuke any weak, pro-Russian stance. This is, and remains, the difficult path ahead.