War in Ukraine Will End Only When Russia Is Defeated or Putin Is Gone—Foreign Affairs

Former CIA analyst Peter Schroeder argues in Foreign Affairs that Vladimir Putin will never give up on Ukraine. The war can only end in one of two ways: either Russia loses its ability to continue fighting, or Putin is no longer in power.

Schroeder dismisses the notion that Putin’s actions are merely a “test of the West’s weakness.” Instead, the Kremlin sees a “strategic need” to prevent Ukraine from becoming a Western stronghold that could threaten Russia.

As long as Putin remains alive and in power, no amount of sanctions, military losses, or international pressure will deter him. Ukraine must either decisively defeat the Russian army on the battlefield, leaving Putin unable to continue the war, or freeze the conflict and wait for his death. Schroeder suggests that since the war is driven by Putin’s personal ambitions, future Russian leaders may be easier to negotiate with.