Can Compromises Create a Sovereign Ukraine?

Successful peace negotiations require concessions. The right ones will strengthen the West.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15. November 26, 2025, 12:28 PM Comment icon View Comments ( )

As the flurry of diplomatic activity to achieve peace in Ukraine continues, many observers seem to be losing sight of the objective. A fair and just peace would be desirable, but that ship sailed long ago.

Instead, the goal of diplomacy should be to achieve a sovereign, independent Ukraine, anchored in the West, and capable of defending itself. That will likely require difficult compromises with Russia. In this context, proposed concessions on Ukraine’s

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