Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman told viewers on Fox News Live that the so-called peace talks with Russia are not a genuine pathway to ending the fighting so long as Vladimir Putin remains in charge and refuses to accept basic terms that would restore Ukrainian sovereignty. That blunt assessment should wake up every American who still believes diplomacy alone will tame a tyrant who has rebuilt an expansionist empire by force.
Hoffman also warned that the economic pressure on Moscow is a “slow burn,” and he’s right — sanctions and isolation are working, but they take time and they need to be maintained, not loosened by weak-kneed politicians eager for cheap headlines. Conservatives should cheer the strategic patience of crippling Russia’s ability to wage war, while demanding the administration keep up the pressure until victory is irreversible.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian gains such as recent reports showing Russian forces squeezed out of key towns underscore that Putin is not invincible; when he loses ground, he lashes out and digs in, making any negotiated settlement that preserves his gains unacceptable. This is proof positive that strength works — and that America’s support for Ukraine must be steadfast until the Kremlin is forced to the table on terms that preserve freedom.
Washington’s role matters: if our leaders signal retreat or cut deals that reward aggression, we guarantee more war, not peace, for our children and allies around the world. The real test for policymakers is whether they will keep arms, intelligence, and economic tools in Ukraine’s corner and refuse to roll out the red carpet for Putin’s diktats.
Putin “won’t allow” certain outcomes because his regime depends on projecting strength and extracting concessions, which means diplomacy without leverage is a fantasy. Conservatives must be loud and clear: we want a durable peace, but not at the price of surrendering territory, dignity, or the rules that keep tyrants in check.
Hardworking Americans deserve a foreign policy that reflects American values — courage, clarity, and commitment to allies who fight for freedom. Now is the time to pressure leaders to stay the course, double down on effective sanctions and aid, and ensure Putin faces isolation until Ukraine is secure and independent once more.
