U.S. Officials Say Ukraine, Russia Peace Negotiations "Would Be A Mistake"

Former President Donald J. Trump has promised that if elected, he would begin peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

While he has not outlined the peace terms he would seek, a quick negotiation would probably force Ukraine to cede vast swaths of territory and give up its ambitions to join NATO.

But officials say demanding that negotiations begin now would be a mistake. About $61 billion in aid approved by Congress in May after months of wrangling is strengthening Ukrainian defenses and halting Russia’s territorial advance.

Throughout the war, U.S. intelligence agencies have been far more pessimistic about its outlook than the Pentagon, whose senior officers have been working closely with Ukraine’s military to help develop its strategy.

But assessments across the U.S. government now appear to be more aligned when it comes to Russia’s prospects on the battlefield.

With a supply of electronic components from China, drones from Iran and missiles and artillery from North Korea, Russia has secured enough weapons to keep its army supplied.