The news coming out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, today is hopeful. Following meetings between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a high-level Ukrainian delegation, the two countries seem to be back on the same track . . . the track that hopefully will lead to an end of Russia’s three-year war of attrition against Ukraine.

And all it took was some disgraceful bullying by Donald Trump, and an “apology” from Volodymyr Zelensky . . . though it’s uncertain what he had to apologize for. Not wearing a suit and tie to the White House, perhaps?

In any event, Ukraine has now agreed to accept the U.S. offer “to enter into a ceasefire and enter into negotiations to end this conflict in a way that is enduring and sustainable,” according to Rubio. [Paul Adams, BBC, March 11, 2025.]

And Donald Trump added that “Hopefully President Putin will agrees to that also.” [Id.]

Following the nine-hour session, a joint U.S.-Ukraine statement was issued, which included the following:

“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day cease-fire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. . . . The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.” [Reid Standish, RFE/RL, March 11, 2025.]

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But “Ay,” as Shakespeare wrote, “there’s the rub.” Will Russia agree to anything “enduring and sustainable”? Or will Putin continue to demand concessions from Ukraine that would be unacceptable to any sovereign nation: concessions such as ceding large swaths of territory that have belonged to it since time immemorial, and sacrificing all guarantees of security in the future?

As Secretary Rubio said following today’s meeting, “The ball is now in Russia’s court.” And, while Trump has consistently exerted maximum pressure on Zelensky, his discussions with Putin have remained secret but are likely to have been more conciliatory, considering their increasingly friendly relationship.

And even if Putin were to accede to some reasonable compromise, where is the guarantee that his word will mean anything a year, six months, or two days later? He has twice — in 2014 and 2022 — invaded Ukraine without cause. And most of Europe, knowing just how little his promises mean, is arming itself against the possibility of similar incursions.

Quite simply, Vladimir Putin’s word isn’t worth a single kopek.

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So yes, we can celebrate today’s victory. But let’s wait a bit before we pop too many champagne corks . . . at least until actual discussions are held between the U.S. and Russia.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
3/11/25