“A dead end” is how retired U.S. Army Colonel Robert (Bob) Hamilton described the U.S.-led process to achieve peace in Ukraine. The American initiative, he noted, not only failed to gain support from Ukraine and its European partners but was also rejected by Russia, despite offering terms far more favorable to Moscow than the European proposal.
In a conversation with Independence Avenue Media, Hamilton, the president of the Eurasia-focused Delphi Global Research Center think tank, explained why diplomatic efforts are unlikely to produce a ceasefire anytime soon. Moscow, he argued, is pursuing a broader strategy aimed at dividing the United States and Europe rather than engaging in substantive negotiations.
Hamilton described the limited options available to President Zelenskyy in this environment and Ukraine’s dependence on European political will as the U.S. refuses to provide new direct military assistance. He also examined the risks Ukraine faces, the leverage Washington still holds, and the careful diplomatic approach Zelenskyy must maintain toward the Trump administration.
Hamilton touched upon how the new U.S. national security strategy is reshaping transatlantic relations and prompting European governments to reassess their own security responsibilities. He also addressed the importance of a Ukrainian victory to European and American security, the challenges of sustaining public support, and the broader implications of the war for the international order.
