Rushing to Peace, Racing to War: The Challenge of a Just Settlement
Commentary
Ukraine Programme
Thaddée Toulouse
30
September 2024
In a high-stakes diplomatic visit to the United States last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his "victory plan" to key American leaders, including President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump, now facing Mrs. Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Zelenskyy’s message was clear: Western countries must assist Ukraine in achieving peace on its own terms, despite mounting pressure from some allies to begin peace negotiations. These calls for diplomacy, though increasingly widespread, overlook a critical factor — the futility of a rushed peace deal without robust security guarantees for Ukraine.