Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates shared insights in a recent interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation,” expressing skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin would agree to any peace deal regarding Ukraine without first achieving his longstanding ambition to re-establish the Russian Empire.
Gates emphasized the essential role he believes Ukraine plays in Putin’s vision, quoting his late mentor Zbigniew Brzezinski, who stated, “without Ukraine, there can be no Russian Empire.” As negotiations have stalled, Gates pointed out that there has been no indication from Moscow of a willingness to compromise.
The statement follows an unsuccessful meeting between lower-level Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on May 15, which did not yield progress toward a ceasefire. Russia’s demands involve Ukraine effectively capitulating by weakening its military, endorsing a pro-Russian government, and relinquishing contested territories. US President Donald Trump has voiced his intention to initiate direct discussions with Putin to attempt to resolve the conflict.
According to Gates, despite the high human and economic costs of the war—reportedly around 900,000 Russian casualties—Putin remains undeterred. Gates noted, “It hasn’t deterred him in the slightest,” highlighting the Kremlin’s rigorous pursuit of total occupation of eastern provinces, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, alongside the need for perpetual recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
The broader context of the ongoing conflict, which dates back to 2014 when Crimea was annexed after the Euromaidan revolution, underlines Gates’ assertion that Putin aims to reassert Russian influence over Ukraine, reverting it to a client state.
This analysis reinforces the complexity of the situation and showcases the ongoing challenges in achieving peace in the region. The urgency for diplomatic solutions remains critical as the conflict continues to evolve.