Morning Jolt: Why the Ukraine Cease-Fire Is No Cause for Celebration

WITH JIM GERAGHTY

March 12 2025

Why the Ukraine Cease-Fire Is No Cause for Celebration

On the menu today: Don't think that the Ukrainians agreeing to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day cease-fire represents some significant accomplishment. There's still the unresolved question of whether Vladimir Putin and the Russians will agree, and even if they do agree, whether they will actually keep their word. The deal comes amidst a slew of U.S. policy changes that all strengthen the hand of Russia and weaken our own hand and the hands of our NATO partners. It is an absolute foreign-policy disaster that is getting the window dressing of so-called foreign-policy "realism" but that amounts to a wholesale surrender to Putin's ambitions. Oh, and a tanker ship full of jet fuel for the U.S. military just got rammed and burned to a crisp because of a collision with a container ship steered by a Russian captain. Nothing to see here, people! Nothing to worry about!

This Isn't a Cease-fire. It's a Wholesale Surrender.

A cease-fire agreement with Russia — assuming it ever takes effect — is likely to be about as long-lasting and reliable as a cease-fire signed with Hamas ...