March 3, 2025 (EIRNS)—"Finally, there is a prospect for bringing the war in Ukraine to an end,” writes former U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union Jack Matlock for Responsible Statecraft. Regarding Zelenskyy’s disastrous appearance at the White House on Feb. 28, Matlock writes that “anyone interested in peace rather than the threat of nuclear war should be congratulating President Trump.”
If the war ends, Russia can return to economic cooperation with Europe and the U.S., and everyone will benefit. But if the war continues, “all will suffer and cooperation to deal with common problems … will become impossible.”
Drawing on his knowledge of Russia and Ukraine and their languages and his extensive experience in diplomacy, Matlock addresses the roots of the conflict. As a participant in the negotiations for the reunification of Germany, Matlock says, “I can testify that assurances were given to Gorbachev orally by the American Secretary of State James Baker, that NATO jurisdiction would not move to the East if the Soviets agreed to let East Germany join West Germany on conditions specified by West Germany.” Matlock adds that similar assurances were given by U.K. Prime Minister John Major and West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher. “In fact, it had been Genscher’s idea,” Matlock writes.
Overall, the only path to peace is through dialogue, and that has now become possible again. “This is a welcome start of a process Americans and Europeans should support.”