Can Americans Agree on How to Settle the Ukraine War?

As Ukraine’s battlefield positions in its war against Russian invaders erode, the question of how to end the war in a way that protects Ukraine’s independence and promotes its future prosperity is getting increasing attention. Much discussion has focused on what settlement provisions Ukraine will require and what terms – if any – Russia might accept. But Washington’s potential role in helping to forge, implement, and monitor any settlement has received comparatively little attention. Is a settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war possible absent hands-on American diplomatic engagement with all interested parties? And can Washington take the steps necessary to steer the conflict toward resolution if bitter partisan divides over this issue continue or intensify?

The Quincy Institute held a conversation featuring George Beebe, Grand Strategy Director at the Quincy Institute, Thomas Graham, former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Senior Director on the NSC staff for Russian Affairs, and Charles Kupchan, former Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Senior Director on the NSC staff for European Affairs. Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, senior adviser at the Quincy Institute and editorial director of Responsible Statecraft, moderated the discussion.