Los Angeles Times

Commentary: Talks can’t end the Ukraine war, because Russia lies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden after their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.

Following the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, Ukraine has suffered tremendously. Tens of thousands have died, and a quarter of the country’s prewar population has been displaced. Homes, neighborhoods and entire cities have been reduced to rubble.

Some question the wisdom of Ukraine continuing to fight back instead of seeking to negotiate with Russia. President Vladimir Putin himself claims he “does not reject the idea of peace talks,” while prominent figures have called for negotiations, possibly involving a settlement to cede occupied territories in exchange for peace.

Calls for Ukraine to have such talks rely on an assumption that Russia

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