Ukraine has shown willingness to pursue a ceasefire, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has not indicated he is prepared to end the war, Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, told Newsmax on Sunday.
"I think we're chasing the wrong horse here," Volker told Newsmax's "Sunday Report." "Ukraine has been ready to have a ceasefire."
He added that Ukraine has worked out economic arrangements with the U.S., but still needs security guarantees.
Volker pointed to continued Russian attacks as evidence Moscow is not moving toward a deal.
"Putin has never indicated that he is prepared to end the war," he said. "He has attacked Ukraine mercilessly night after night."
Volker cited recent strikes in Odesa that he said knocked out power and water, and he referenced comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggesting proposed terms remain insufficient.
"Even if Ukraine agrees to everything, it's not good enough," Volker said. "They want more."
He said the U.S. and its allies should intensify pressure on Moscow. "We've got to be putting pressure on Putin to get him to stop the war," he said.
Dan Rice, a former special adviser to the Ukrainian armed forces, agreed, telling Newsmax that the outcome hinges on whether Putin is willing to pursue peace.
"Putin really doesn't want peace," Rice said. "All of these concessions, all of these discussions are really irrelevant."
He said the West should apply "economic, political, and military" pressure to push Moscow toward negotiations.
Rice also warned the conflict could widen beyond Ukraine.
"It's not going to stop at just Ukraine," he said. "It's going to continue on."
He said that the world is "very close to World War III," calling it "the closest we've been in 80 years."
Asked to explain, Rice compared the current situation to the Cold War's most dangerous moment.
"I think the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest we came during the Cold War," he said, but he noted that the standoff lasted weeks while the war in Ukraine is ongoing.
He cited reports of Russian activity affecting neighboring areas, saying Putin continues "to test the West."
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.