An op-ed published on Saturday by The Washington Post’s editorial board highlighted the potential dangers posed by President-elect Trump seeking a deal with Russian leaders over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The board explained that the escalation of fighting can be largely attributed to Trump’s apparent inclination to quickly end the war once he assumes office, though he has remained unclear about the specifics of such a deal, promising only a swift resolution, perhaps even before taking office.
Critics warn that Trump’s rush for peace could jeopardize Ukraine’s sovereignty and embolden authoritarian regimes.
They also noted that Vice President-elect JD Vance was more explicit, suggesting that a potential settlement might involve a “demilitarized zone” that includes territories currently under Russian control. This, the board argued, is likely driving the Kremlin to seize as much territory as possible before the inauguration, while Ukraine struggles to fend off these territorial advances.
The editorial further warned that any agreement resulting in Ukraine relinquishing land to Russia would weaken its relationship with the West and set a dangerous precedent, signaling to other authoritarian leaders that the West may not uphold its commitments to defend sovereign nations. “Such a move would tell dictators around the world that the West’s determination has limits,” the board cautioned.
The editorial also speculated on how such a retreat could embolden other global leaders, specifically Chinese President Xi Jinping, who might view a Western retreat from Ukraine as an opportunity to advance his own territorial ambitions, such as over Taiwan or disputed regions in the South China Sea.
With Russia already reinforcing its position by deploying North Korean troops and countering Ukraine’s missile capabilities, the Post argued that leaving Ukraine’s eastern territories under Russian control would represent a huge defeat for both Ukraine and the West.
They highlighted Trump’s sharp criticism of President Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, labeling it as “weak,” and warned that a similar abandonment of Ukraine under Trump’s leadership would send a similar message. The editorial concluded by stating that if such a deal were to happen, the responsibility would fall squarely on Trump’s shoulders, leaving him with no one else to blame.
