Mike Pompeo Urges Against Conceding to Russia and Warns of the Consequences of Capitulating to Putin
Former U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in his column for the Financial Times, emphasized once again that American authorities should not support or agree to any arrangements that would transfer control over the occupied territories of Donbas to Russia.
According to Pompeo, such steps would be catastrophic for Ukraine and would pave the way for the final undermining of Ukrainian sovereignty.
He highlighted that Moscow’s recognition of its illegal territorial claims signals to the global community that violence is valued and can be rewarded, encouraging dictators worldwide to pursue aggressive actions.
Pompeo pointed out that ceding control over Ukraine’s industrial heartland and defensive zone would severely impair Ukraine’s recovery prospects and weaken its defenses, discouraging international support.
The former secretary of state stressed that Putin is not genuinely willing to make concessions for peace and continues targeting Ukrainian civilians with strikes.
He also criticized Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s proposal of a ‘veto right’ for Moscow on security measures for Ukraine, viewing it as an attempt to hinder international support.
Pompeo emphasized that any peace agreement must uphold Ukraine’s interests and guarantee security, explicitly rejecting any capitulation that recognizes occupation.
He recalled the 1994 Budapest memorandum, where the West promised to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty in exchange for nuclear disarmament, warning against repeating past mistakes.
According to Pompeo, the U.S.
and European allies must provide Ukraine with real, binding security guarantees, including troop deployments and strong political backing from Washington.
He urged to remain firm in supporting a united European coalition and to be prepared to respond decisively to any future Russian breaches of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Pompeo believes Ukrainian President Zelensky faces a difficult task in finding a compromise acceptable to his people that does not compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty.
He warns against the misconception that Ukraine should accept Putin’s terms for peace, arguing that appeasement only fuels aggression, citing Winston Churchill’s words that it’s like feeding a crocodile in the hope it will eat you last.
Finally, he warns that supporting Russia’s territorial gains and recognition of claims invites further aggression and signals to China that it can pursue Taiwan.
Pompeo underscores that if the U.S.
orchestrates negotiations that favor Putin, the conflict will only escalate, increasing risks for global security.