Blinken and Austin: Peace through strength's crucial for Ukraine and US security

"Pursuing a policy of peace through strength is vital to Ukraine’s survival and America’s security. The United States and its allies and partners must continue to stand by Ukraine and strengthen its hand for the negotiations that will someday bring Mr. Putin’s war of aggression to an end," said the US officials.

In their view, Ukraine's success to this day is a massive strategic achievement. However, both Blinken and Austin note that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin faces a painful dilemma.

"Russia has suffered more than 700,000 dead and injured since Mr. Putin began his war. Now he increasingly faces a painful dilemma: either endure high casualties for minimal gains, perhaps order a mobilization that triggers domestic instability, or negotiate seriously with Ukraine to end his war," the officials added.

They believe that US financial and military support has provided leverage for Kyiv and the next US administration.

"This leverage must be used to end Putin's war and establish a durable peace that ensures Ukrainians can deter further Russian aggression, protect their territory, and thrive as a sovereign democracy. This is what peace through strength would look like. But as long as Putin retains his imperial ambitions, abandoning our leverage now by cutting aid or forcing a premature ceasefire will only allow Putin to rest, recalibrate, and ultimately attack again. That would be peace through surrender, which would not be peace at all," Blinken and Austin concluded.

Trump's position on the war in Ukraine

It is worth noting that during a recent address to Republican governors, Trump stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin expressed a desire to meet. He further added that the meeting is already being prepared, though he did not specify exact dates.

Read more about what Ukraine can expect from a Trump presidency in the material by RBC-Ukraine.