Donald Trump Lacking ‘Strength’ in Russia-Ukraine Talks: British Ex-FM
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Former U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague has criticized the Trump administration’s handling of a push to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, saying that “patience and strength” from the United States is “in short supply.”
William Hague, who was the United Kingdom’s top diplomat between 2010 and 2014, said the Trump administration’s approach was “opposite” to the patience and trustworthiness displayed by previous U.S. administrations in solving international crises.
In an op-ed in the British newspaper The Times, Hague wrote that U.S. threats to withdraw from Ukraine talks only emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email.
Former U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague is pictured on November 5, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa. Former U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague is pictured on November 5, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa. Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Such a stern rebuke of American foreign policy is unusual from a former U.K. foreign secretary. Hague’s comments were published on Monday, before U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned Washington could walk away from peace talks if neither Ukraine nor Russia agrees to U.S. proposals.
His comments also reflect a growing sense in Europe that it will have to take up the slack diplomatically and militarily should Washington walk away, which would be a difficult feat considering how Kyiv’s allies are divided on how to provide aid.
What To Know
Hague was the former leader of the Conservative Party in opposition and served as foreign secretary under former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2014, the year that Putin illegally annexed Crimea.
In his Times op-ed published Monday, Hague said peace “does not come on a timetable suited to social media updates and campaign statements.”
He noted the lengthy processes that Washington undertook regarding the Korean War and the Oslo Accords that came closest to bringing peace between Israel and the Palestinians in 1993 and 1995.
Hague gave other examples as well, concluding that “peace is not bought off a shelf” and requires all sides to decide they cannot achieve more by fighting, but this takes time and external leverage to build.
He described it as a “tragic missed opportunity” because if the U.S. devoted the necessary time and leverage, it probably could end the Ukraine war, but this would require giving the Ukrainians enough renewed military assistance.
Time would also be needed for agreements on borders, prisoners of war, ceasefire protocols, and security and economic assistance for Ukraine, to prevent war from returning, he said.
Hague lamented the rush to reach a deal in the absence of any obvious pressure on Russia but with an intense focus on obtaining for the U.S. the mineral wealth of Ukraine.
The war, continuing with dwindling assistance from the U.S., poses serious consequences for Europe, Hague said, as they would have to give more of their weapons stock to Ukraine despite leaving gaps in their defenses.
What People Are Saying
Former U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague wrote for The Times: “The approach of the Trump administration to a peace deal seems therefore, just like its tariff policy, to be entirely uninformed by historical knowledge…as Trump runs out of patience, Britain and Europe should think radically in order to increase our own strength.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday: “It’s time for [Russia and Ukraine] to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process.”
What Happens Next
There is speculation that Russia might be willing to halt its invasion along current front lines in return for significant concessions, which will be unpalatable for Kyiv.
Vance’s warning that Washington could walk away came after London talks between officials from the U.K., France, Germany, Ukraine, and the U.S. were downgraded when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff withdrew.
The U.S. is focused on talks this week in Moscow, where Witkoff will meet Putin again, but it is unclear where these talks will lead.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he insists on “an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire.”
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