Rep. Flood at Newsweek: Here's What a Ukraine Peace Deal Could Look Like

Three years into the second phase of the more than decade-long Russo-Ukrainian conflict, and Americans have become increasingly war weary even though our armed forces haven't fielded a single soldier. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House and stunning disrespect for President Donald Trump further complicated an already tenuous path to peace.

Let's look at how we got here—and what a conclusion to the war could look like under such difficult circumstances.

Over the last three years, Vladimir Putin, Russia's de facto czar, has led the country through the latest stage of his ongoing quest to replicate Peter the Great's aspiration to build an ethnic Russian empire. Like the 18th-century emperor, Putin has said he wants to return what he views as "Russian lands" to his control.

The territory Putin conquered in the last few years isn't the first part of Ukraine he's tried to claim. In 2014, he invaded and annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine that is home to many ethnic Russians. Russia still maintains control of it today. Former president Barack Obama has defended his response to Russia's annexation, which did not include military support for Ukraine.

During President Trump's first term in office between 2017 and 2021, Russia made no more such moves. In fact, President Trump started no new wars throughout his initial tenure in the White House.

It was only after Joe Biden took office that Putin made another move with a renewed effort to grab more Ukrainian territory. Since Putin's latest assault started in 2022, America has provided significant military aid to support Ukraine's war effort—aid which I have supported throughout my time in Congress.

Even so, over the last three years, Ukraine has lost significant territory to Russia even with the support of hundreds of billions of dollars of American and European military aid.

Last year, President Trump won reelection promising to bring an end to the Russo-Ukrainian War. The desire to end the war is categorically good, but this effort can't lose sight of the reality that Putin's army has slaughtered tens of thousands since the conflict began.

Through the years, the president has found great success in using new approaches in negotiating deals. As a deal is sought, any conclusion to the war needs to roll back Russia's land grab, return kidnapped Ukrainian children, and ensure that America's alliance with NATO remains strong.

Right now, Russia controls about 20 percent of Ukraine. Ceding all this land to Russia in a peace deal would incentivize Putin to continue his pursuit of an ethnic empire—now or in the future. Any deal should roll back the land grab to make it clear that the resources and human life lost in the war did not help Russia reach its goal.

Over the course of the war, Russia has abducted thousands of Ukrainian children. While estimates vary, some peg this number at 20,000 kids or more. Russia is facing a decreasing population and demographic winter, which may be a motivation for its attempt to resettle and reprogram Ukraine's youth. Any peace deal should ensure that all the Ukrainian children kidnapped over the course of the war are reunited with their loved ones back home.

As President Trump thinks about the conclusion of the war, it's critical that there be enduring peace, and that Russia doesn't revisit its empire-building fantasy. In recent weeks, President Trump has been pitching both Ukraine and Russia on different economic deals that could help cement an enduring peace.

Over the last few weeks, President Zelensky has been weighing a deal with the U.S. to develop rare earth minerals. While Zelensky was ready to accept President Trump's offer last week, the deal was upended after the Ukrainian president delivered comments that were disparaging towards President Trump. It's in both countries' best interests that Zelensky repair the relationship to revive the deal. While Ukraine needs America's backing, America needs access to critical resources, some of which we depend on China for today.

President Trump has also expressed hope for economic deals with Russia in recent weeks. While the prospect of a deal with Russia, economic or otherwise, is exciting, implementing a deal and making sure Russia delivers is more complicated. Russia has had a penchant in recent years for state interventions and taking over private enterprises. It's unlikely that any economic deal inked with the United States wouldn't be subject to the same rules—or lack thereof.

Finally, a peace deal would need to ensure that NATO remains robust for the future. President Trump has successfully pushed NATO members to increase their defense spending. He is continuing this important effort now, which will help make the bloc stronger. As their work continues, the Trump administration should make clear that America remains committed to the terms of Article V as well.

While discussions about the possibility of the war ending are only just underway, I'm hopeful that President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the entire Trump team forge a deal that brings peace, rolls back Putin's land grab, and opens a new chapter in the West's relationship with Russia. While America should be careful not to purchase peace at all costs, ending this war on our terms is in the best interest of all the parties who have been engaged in the conflict on the frontlines and from afar.

Mike Flood, a Republican, represents Nebraska's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.