There's no peace deal that Vladimir Putin would accept, at least according to current information. Despite US efforts led by President Donald Trump to present a new 19-point peace plan to Ukraine and Russia, the Kremlin remains noncommittal.
One issue is that Putin has always considered Ukraine an existential threat, which means he won't compromise on its sovereignty until it's more submissive in his eyes. In contrast, the US sees this as an opportunity for Ukraine to solidify its NATO ties and resist Russian dominance.
The new peace plan allows Ukraine to keep 800,000 troops along with "NATO-style" security guarantees, making it a nonstarter. The deal also requires Russia to relinquish control of disputed regions such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, but Putin won't give up his claims on them easily.
This isn't the first time Trump has underestimated Putin's resolve or expectations for Ukraine's future. Prior deadlines have been met with little progress, and a recent meeting in Alaska only left the Russian president feeling victorious.
For now, Putin views this as a civilizational struggle worth continuing no matter how long it takes or how much human cost there is. With Russia's own domestic struggles such as rising living costs and inflation adding to his problems, he appears to have no intention of backing down on Ukraine anytime soon.
Despite rumors that Putin may not last until 2036 when his term ends, a clear timeline for his departure remains unclear, which makes any hopes of an early peace deal look increasingly remote.
One issue is that Putin has always considered Ukraine an existential threat, which means he won't compromise on its sovereignty until it's more submissive in his eyes. In contrast, the US sees this as an opportunity for Ukraine to solidify its NATO ties and resist Russian dominance.
The new peace plan allows Ukraine to keep 800,000 troops along with "NATO-style" security guarantees, making it a nonstarter. The deal also requires Russia to relinquish control of disputed regions such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, but Putin won't give up his claims on them easily.
This isn't the first time Trump has underestimated Putin's resolve or expectations for Ukraine's future. Prior deadlines have been met with little progress, and a recent meeting in Alaska only left the Russian president feeling victorious.
For now, Putin views this as a civilizational struggle worth continuing no matter how long it takes or how much human cost there is. With Russia's own domestic struggles such as rising living costs and inflation adding to his problems, he appears to have no intention of backing down on Ukraine anytime soon.
Despite rumors that Putin may not last until 2036 when his term ends, a clear timeline for his departure remains unclear, which makes any hopes of an early peace deal look increasingly remote.