Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine has sparked concerns about the potential consequences of a Russian victory. According to recent talks between US peace envoy Steve Witkoff, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia's goal is to bring Ukraine under its control, either now or in the near future.
What happened
Putin's motive for pursuing this goal is rooted in his desire to restore Russia's status as a global power, which he believes was lost after the Cold War. He sees the West as having taken advantage of Russian weakness and seeks to challenge America's influence in Europe. A Russian victory in Ukraine would allow the country to rebuild and strike again, potentially moving closer to the heart of Europe and challenging the US.
The consequences of a Russian victory would be significant, including increased costs for the US to deter an emboldened Russia and a potential fraying of America's global alliance structure. Allies would doubt American promises, and trusting in the US would appear less sensible. Moscow understands the implications of a Russian victory and will not accept any deal that leaves America stronger.
Some argue that a neutral Ukraine could bring stability, but the Kremlin's hostile agenda extends to the West, and a Russia rewarded in Ukraine would likely follow the same path. The US and its allies must provide strong support to Ukraine to prevent a Russian victory and maintain the balance of power in the region.
