Zelenskyy must lower mobilisation age to win Western support - Bloomberg
This week, White House officials plan to discuss with their European counterparts how to end Russia's war against Ukraine. However, for a lasting settlement, the United States and its allies must show that they are ready to enforce it.
This is stated in a Bloomberg article, Censor.NET reports.
The publication notes that today Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not demonstrated any serious interest in peace. The Kremlin is unlikely to enter into more serious negotiations until the price of war exceeds the price of peace.
"That will almost certainly require more Western economic and military pressure — and a credible, long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security," the author writes.
Bloomberg notes that Ukrainian leaders, who are increasingly realistic about their prospects for regaining lost territory on the battlefield, must do their part.
Trust in Zelenskyy
If President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government wants to show it deserves continued Western backing, it will need to address troop shortages by expanding recruitment and lowering the draft age from 25. Tackling corruption is equally crucial. Despite significant progress in recent years, transparency and governance issues continue to undermine support among allies. Possible European Union membership and billions in reconstruction aid will depend on accountability.
The need for sanctions against Russia
Meanwhile, as article states, US President Donald Trump must be prepared to follow through on threats to impose "high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions" on Russia if Putin appears to be stalling.
The previous White House introduced potentially devastating oil curbs on its way out the door, taking aim at exports that fund around a third of Russia’s budget. The new administration ought to implement them strictly, including by threatening secondary sanctions on Indian and Chinese buyers purchasing Russian oil above the $60 price cap.
Preventing Russia from attacking Ukraine again
Bloomberg writes that the biggest challenge will be convincing Putin that the West is intent on backing up any agreement, so he can’t just rearm and renew his offensive in a few years.
In reality, the burden will fall to European peacekeepers, supported by American logistics, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. The EU ought to show willingness to accelerate Ukraine’s accession, both to bolster its democracy and attract investors for its reconstruction.
Europe must also move much faster to strengthen its own defenses.
The publication has no doubt that Trump would like to win a quick victory in Ukraine, similar to Israel and HAMAS. But a weak deal that leaves Putin poised to resume his war would risk another cycle of conflict and instability, fracture the West, and reshape the geopolitical balance. Even Trump couldn’t spin that as a victory.
