Ending Wars Not Easy, Like Tariff Tables

 

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 11th August, 2025.

Ending Wars Not Easy, Like Tariff Tables

Deepak Razdan

Tuesday, 12 August, 2025

After the trade war’s first phase ends with US announcement of new import tariffs for nearly the whole world, the New World can now attend to real wars – conflicts where missiles and drones cross borders from both sides.

Unlike the tariff tangles, the military fights, however, don’t end with one side dominating the other so strongly that its voice is reduced to a whisper.

Like, in the Ukraine war, its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear there will be no ceding of territory to Russia by his country, though talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this weekend are welcome.

As the US announced deadlines for its trade partners to reach deals, there were hardly any noises regarding the US pressures for tariffs suitable to the US needs.

The European Union (EU) members or other nations only urged the US to keep trading interests of its business partners in view.

In the case of the Ukraine war, Mr Zelenskyy has demanded international pressure on Russia for a ceasefire, and suggested repeatedly stronger sanctions against Russia, as, according to him, only that could make it agree to a peace deal.

Mr Zelenskyy has kept reminding the world it would not accept any deal where it is not a partner. Ukraine has insisted it would not accept the frontline as new border and there was no question of accepting loss of any territory in any agreement.

This was the Ukraine leader’s reply to President Trump who indicated an agreement to end the Ukraine war could involve “swapping” of territories.

Mr Zelenskyy found support for his stand from European Union Leaders who issued a Statement on Ukraine.

A result of his constant pressure for a fair peace deal was President Trump was likely to have a virtual talk with Mr Zelenskyy on Wednesday ahead of his Friday meeting with Mr Putin.

White House on Tuesday said since the coming meeting would involve only one party to the conflict, the US President hoped to set up a meeting later between Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy, with or without his own presence.

Supporting Ukraine, the European leaders welcomed “the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.”

They also made a significant point. They said “A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force.”

“The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” they said.

“Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has wider implications for European and international security. We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests,” they said.

The 27-nation European Union, in coordination with the US and other like-minded partners, will continue to provide political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine “as Ukraine is exercising its inherent right of self-defence. It will also continue to uphold and impose restrictive measures against the Russian Federation,” the European leaders said.

“A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees,” they said.

The EU and its Member States are ready to further contribute to security guarantees based on their respective competences and capabilities, in line with international law, and in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States.

The EU underlined the inherent right of Ukraine “to choose its own destiny and will continue supporting Ukraine on its path towards EU membership,” the European leaders pointed out.

Confirming the Trump-Putin meeting, President Putin’s Aide Yury Ushakov said “The American side has just announced that an agreement was reached to hold a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States next Friday, August 15, in Alaska.”

The presidents will undoubtedly focus on discussing ways to reach a sustainable settlement to the Ukraine crisis, he said.

The President’s Aide said “Looking ahead, we would naturally expect the next meeting between the presidents to be held on Russia's territory. An invitation to that effect has already been made to the President of the United States.”

Indicating how agreements to end wars are not easy to reach, the Presidential Aide said “I would like to note that in the next few days, Moscow and Washington will of course be working vigorously and hard on the practical and political parameters of the Alaska summit. We expect this process will not be simple, but we will be engaged in it actively and consistently.”

Recognising India’s crucial role in international affairs, Mr Zelenskyy spoke to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Mr Modi thanked President Zelenskyy and reaffirmed India’s steadfast and consistent position for peaceful settlement of the conflict and support for efforts aimed at earliest restoration of peace.

The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to extend all possible support in this regard. The leaders also reviewed progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.  

According to the Ukraine government, the two leaders also discussed sanctions against Russia in detail. Mr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to restrict exports of Russian energy resources, particularly oil, to reduce Russia’s potential and ability to finance the continuation of the war.

Mr Zelenskyy underscored that it is important now for every leader with tangible leverage over Russia to send the corresponding signals to Moscow.

The President and the Prime Minister agreed to schedule a personal meeting in September at the UN General Assembly and to work on arranging an exchange of visits.

In his telephone call to Mr Zelenskyy yesterday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney supported the European leaders’ statement on Ukraine.

The Prime Minister and the President welcomed President Trump’s efforts towards securing peace in Ukraine in the context of the upcoming negotiations.

Mr Carney agreed with the European leaders that “decisions on the future of Ukraine must be made by Ukrainians, that international borders cannot be changed by force, that diplomatic engagement must be reinforced by continued pressure on Russia to end its aggression, and the need for robust and credible security to enable Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

The Canadian Prime Minister spoke with UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer also yesterday. The two leaders supported Mr Trump’s historic efforts to resolve the Ukraine issue.

“As members of the Coalition of the Willing, the prime ministers reaffirmed Canada and the United Kingdom’s commitment to coordinating closely with the US, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, in pursuit of peace and security in Ukraine and Europe,” the two leaders said.