Is a Peace Deal in Ukraine Possible?
On 19 February 2026, the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft hosted a debate between me and George Beebe, who is the director of grand strategy at Quincy. Emily Jashinsky of UnHerd moderated.
George argued that it is possible to fashion a peace agreement between Russia and its three adversaries: Europe, Ukraine, and the US.
In contrast, I argued that no such deal is possible and the war will be settled on the battlefield. We will then get an armistice which would effectively produce a frozen conflict.
Even though George and I disagreed on some key points, it was a pleasure engaging him in a rational-legal debate on this important subject.
Quincy took a poll before the debate and then after the debate to determine which of us moved the debate in his direction. I won’t spoil the surprise for you by reporting the results.
Well put near the end John. And Russia wants to screw Ukraine why? It's called "NATO." And John swung the audience 12 percentage points. (I spoiled the surprise for you.)
My god, I’ve been so used to debates being between blood thirsty entitled neo cons and normal people it’s crazy to see two normal people in a good faith debate