Vance argues that President Trump and he have been making two simple arguments for three years: first, that the war wouldn’t have started if Trump was in office, and second, that neither Europe, the Biden administration, nor Ukraine had a viable plan for winning the war.
At the heart of Vance’s critique is the idea that Ferguson and others are relying on simplistic moralisms and historical analogies rather than grappling with the complex realities of the conflict.
“Quoting George H.W. Bush’s statement on Kuwait is irrelevant to the current conflict,” Vance writes. “Instead, we must deal with the facts on the ground.”
Those facts, according to Vance, include the Russian military’s significant numerical advantage, the depleted resources of European countries, and the need for direct talks with those involved in starting and maintaining the war.
Vance also emphasizes the need for the US to prioritize its interests, rather than relying on moralistic or historically illiterate approaches.
“The continued conflict is bad for Russia, bad for Ukraine, and bad for Europe,” Vance writes. “But most importantly, it is bad for the United States. Given the above facts, we must pursue peace, and we must pursue it now.”
Vance’s comments are a stark reminder of the need for realism and pragmatism in addressing the Ukraine conflict. As stakeholders, we must prioritize a nuanced understanding of the complex issues at play, rather than relying on simplistic moralisms or historical analogies.
