The war in Ukraine has been a key point of US interest for the stability of Europe and its ramifications on the world. This deadly conflict has turned into a war of attrition with no end in sight, as the fate of the western-led world order of a rule-based international society comes under threat with Russian aggression. However, in recent months, the new US president Donald Trump has flouted the solution of a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. While there has been some doubts among European nations about Trump’s proposed peace deal, nonetheless European nations have agreed to begin peace processes for the Ukraine conflict. So why does Trump want a Ukrainian peace deal? In my view, there are two reasons: Trump’s efforts to improve US relations with Russia and Trump’s efforts to prepare for a conflict with China.

Trump has always had a reputation for warming up the Vladimir Putin. This reputation has scared European allies. However, Trumps efforts to improve relations with Russia could be reasonable. For one, improved relations with Russia could  influence oil prices in the world. To elaborate, Russia is part of OPEC, a global cartel of oil-producing countries that determine the price of oil with their production levels. If US and Russian relations improve, oil prices could decrease, facilitating cheaper gas prices for US consumers. However most importantly, Trump could improve Russian relations to shift Russia away from China. Russia and China have grown increasingly close over the years, strengthening  China, much to the US’s dismay. If US and Russian relations improved, Russia could shift away from China and towards the US, weakening China. For these reasons, Trump sees the Ukrainian battlefield as a key point for improving relations with Russia. If the Ukraine peace deal ends in a ceasefire of all forms of aggression on the battlefield as well as the preservation of Russian gained territories in Ukraine, it could facilitate improved relations with Russia. This could create geopolitical advantages for the US. Trump has increasingly appealed to a peace deal with Russia, calling out their fragile economy as well as the increasing death toll for both sides.These efforts could not be an effort of appeasement towards Russian aggression, rather an effort to expedite US interests. 

Another reason why Trump could seek an end to the russo-ukrainian war is to halt the outflow of US military supplies. To elaborate, the US has sent millions of dollars worth of military equipment to Ukraine. However, a side effect of this action is that the US is neglecting their own defense for the sake of Ukraine. The US military aid to Ukraine has resulted in the possibility of US weapons supply being completely depleted. This concern is relevant especially concerning the looming war with China. If the US lacked weapons, it would not have a capable ability to wage war with China. Thus, Trump’s efforts to end the Russo-Ukrainian war could be part of the effort to defend America and maintain world peace, one of the most imperative duties for the president of the United States. Thus, rather than appeasing Russia, Trump could seek to end the war in Ukraine to address other more prevalent issues across the world, in particular the rising military aggression of China.

In conclusion, Trump’s efforts to end the Russo-Ukrainian war is not to appease Russia but to advance US interests around the world. While it may appear unknown to most critics, this strategy of diplomacy towards Ukraine could be justified to maintain world peace and advance US interests. As the author of the Prince said: “the ends justify the means”. Thus, Trump sacrificing Ukrainian territory could be necessary to advancing US interests.