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Why Putin and Trump should both want quick peace deals

Despite the mounting costs of both wars, the Russian and US leaders are reluctant to admit failure

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    • Two leaders (above: Russia's Vladimir Putin and the US' Donald Trump) started wars of choice which they thought would bring quick victories, only to find themselves trapped in conflicts they are finding difficult to end.
    • Two leaders (above: Russia's Vladimir Putin and the US' Donald Trump) started wars of choice which they thought would bring quick victories, only to find themselves trapped in conflicts they are finding difficult to end. PHOTO: REUTERS

    Marc Champion

    Published Wed, Jun 3, 2026 · 06:00 PM

    IN UKRAINE and Iran, the world has two major wars that are both highly destructive in their own right and carry the potential for wider great-power conflict.

    Thankfully, they are also ripe for settlement, because in each case, the attacking side has very little prospect of attaining its goals by continuing the fight.

    So why is peace taking so long?

    Donald TrumpVladimir PutinUkraineIran warRussia-Ukraine warIran

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