The Ukraine Conflict: Why It Matters Beyond Europe

The recent telephone conversation between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin marked their third discussion since the start of Mr. Trump’s second term. However, like previous talks, it yielded little progress amid prolonged and complex negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The U.S. administration expresses frustration with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who remains steadfast in demanding a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine from a rearmed Russia, and President Putin, who has been ambiguous about his willingness to end the conflict. Promising a swift resolution to voters, the administration has grown increasingly impatient, with officials hinting at withdrawing from efforts.

This stance is rooted in the belief that the Ukraine war is primarily a European issue. Advocates of this view argue that Europe should bear the financial burden since the conflict’s outcome will chiefly impact the continent. Former President Trump emphasized this perspective in a February social media post, stating, “this War is far more important to Europe than it is to us — We have a big, beautiful Ocean as separation.”

Contrary to this perspective, the conflict’s ramifications are far-reaching and significantly impact American interests. President Putin’s ambitions extend well beyond Ukraine, aiming to challenge the post-Cold War European order to reassert Russia’s global influence. His zero-sum approach views Russia’s gain as a direct reduction of American power. Additionally, a peace settlement that empowers Russia could leave Europe, a major U.S. trading partner, exposed to future threats and exacerbate global challenges confronting the United States.

The U.S. now faces a critical decision: confront Russia in Ukraine today or face greater costs and challenges later. Delaying action will only increase the price America must pay.

Prior to the February 2022 invasion, Russia issued demands including a significant rollback of NATO’s eastern borders. The Kremlin has consistently signaled its desire to restore Russia’s status as a global power, starting with dominance in Europe. Past tolerances of Russian actions—in Georgia in 2008, Ukraine in 2014, and Syria in 2015—have emboldened President Putin, culminating in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Abandoning diplomatic efforts now will not simplify or reduce the cost of resisting Russian aggression.