Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Israel-Hamas
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • North Korea
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine-Russia / Ukraine Faces A Growing Risk of Outright Military Collapse If No Deal Struck
Ukraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

May 21, 2025

Ukraine Faces A Growing Risk of Outright Military Collapse If No Deal Struck

By Daniel Davis

In Trump’s Truth Social post following his phone call with Putin last Monday, the U.S. President wrote the “tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.” Putin also voiced guarded optimism, adding the call was, “very meaningful.” Words aside, the realities on the ground do not indicate peace is any closer today than before the call.

If Trump and Putin made optimistic comments following the phone call, there were anxious comments coming from European and Ukrainian leaders. Their angst is well placed – though not because their positions are solid or logical. Rather, it is the European and Ukrainian unwillingness to acknowledge painfully evident ground-truth realities that keeps them at odds with Trump’s views.

That is a real problem, at least for Ukraine.

Read at 19FortyFive

Author

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Europe and US slide further apart on Ukraine

By Daniel DePetris

May 23, 2025

In the mediaIran, Middle East, Nuclear weapons

New US-Iran Nuclear Talks as Tensions Rise

Featuring Daniel DePetris

May 22, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Donald Trump is getting a reality check on his peace plans for Gaza and Ukraine

By Daniel DePetris

May 20, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

The Defining Test: Can Europe’s Rising Right Agree on Ukraine?

By Julian Fisher

May 20, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump should not demand a ceasefire in Putin call

By Jennifer Kavanagh

May 19, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump’s Putin peace deal is doomed

By Daniel DePetris

May 19, 2025

Events on Ukraine-Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Past Virtual Event: A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved