West stands firm on Ukraine peace effort

The West pushes back on Moscow while seeking a path to peace in Ukraine, stressing confidence and unity.

West Stands Firm Against Putin in Ukraine Peace Drive

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin argues in The Telegraph that the West should not be cowed by Vladimir Putin as talks on Ukraine unfold. He says Russia is weaker than it appears and urges NATO to demonstrate confidence across all domains, including nuclear, land, sea, air, cyber and space, plus diplomatic and economic fronts. The message is a call for steadfast unity rather than concessions that could embolden Moscow.

In Washington, Donald Trump floated a quick peace process and suggested inviting European leaders to a second meeting, while Zelensky and European counterparts were said to be sidelined from Friday’s Anchorage talks. At the same time, Kyiv’s future remains a point of tension, with concerns that Ukraine could be pressured to concede territory. Downing Street described cautious optimism after Zelensky’s meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, underscoring a shared resolve to pursue peace while pressing Russia to prove its seriousness.”,

Radakin’s stance reflects a broader Western instinct to project confidence even as the peace process moves slowly. The risk is clear: a show of strength without clear, verifiable guarantees could harden positions and leave Kyiv exposed to terms it rejects. The Trump angle adds volatility to a process that already hinges on fragile diplomacy, potentially fragmenting Western unity if European partners feel sidelined or if security guarantees are not credible.

Beyond rhetoric, the real test will be concrete steps—binding security guarantees, credible enforcement mechanisms, and a framework that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty. The episode also exposes a political tightrope: maintain public support for costly allied backing while avoiding steps that could be seen as capitulation. The coming days will reveal whether the alliance can translate posture into policy that sticks.”,

Highlights

Peace talks will depend on credible steps, not bravado.