Why Ukraine Shouldn’t Negotiate with Putin

Issue Date January 2025
Volume 36
Issue 1
Page Numbers 21–35
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Those promising a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine operate under the mistaken assumption that there exists some combination of territorial and policy compromises that would satisfy all sides and bring about a stable long-term peace. In fact, the conflict is more intractable than ever: Bargaining models of war termination predict that peace negotiations are likely to fail. Win, lose, or draw, the war will be settled on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table. The stakes couldn’t be higher: Whether the West continues its support for Ukraine’s fight or forces Kyiv to make a deal with the devil, the consequences for international security and global democracy will reverberate for years to come.

About the Author

Robert Person is a professor of international relations at the United
States Military Academy.
 His Twitter is @RTPerson3.

View all work by Robert Person

Image Credit: President Of Ukraine