Former U.K. Foreign Secretary Criticizes Trump Administration’s Ukraine Strategy
William Hague, who served as the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary from 2010 to 2014, has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s approach to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. In an op-ed for The Times, Hague argued that the U.S. is lacking the “patience and strength” necessary to resolve such a complex international conflict.
Hague contrasted the current U.S. administration’s stance with the more measured, consistent diplomacy of previous American governments. He described Trump’s foreign policy as the “opposite” of the patience and reliability that once characterized U.S. leadership on global crises.
In his editorial, Hague condemned the Trump administration’s threats to abandon peace talks, suggesting that such rhetoric only serves to embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. He warned that this posture has not only weakened diplomatic efforts but may also force Europe to fill the resulting leadership vacuum—a challenge made more difficult by internal divisions over how best to support Ukraine.
Hague, a former Conservative Party leader who served under Prime Minister David Cameron, highlighted the contrast between Trump-era diplomacy and historical examples such as U.S. engagement during the Korean War and the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo Accords of the 1990s. He stressed that sustainable peace "does not come on a timetable suited to social media updates and campaign statements."
He emphasized that true peace demands patience, consistent external pressure, and a willingness from all parties to stop seeking gains through conflict. Hague called it a "tragic missed opportunity" that the U.S. has not committed more deeply to this process, asserting that with sufficient time, leverage, and military assistance to Ukraine, a resolution could be possible.
Any successful peace, Hague argued, would also require agreements on critical issues such as borders, prisoners of war, ceasefire terms, and long-term security and economic support for Ukraine to prevent future conflict. Yet, he lamented that current U.S. efforts appear more driven by interest in Ukraine’s mineral resources than in applying sustained pressure on Russia.
As American aid dwindles, Hague warned that Europe may be forced to divert more of its own military stockpiles to support Kyiv, potentially compromising its own defense capabilities. He concluded with a stark critique: “The Trump administration’s approach to peace, much like its tariff policies, appears completely uninformed by historical precedent.”
His remarks were published just before U.S. Vice President JD Vance issued a warning that Washington might withdraw from negotiations if Ukraine and Russia fail to agree to U.S. proposals. “It’s time for [Russia and Ukraine] to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process,” Vance said on Wednesday.
There is growing speculation that Moscow may be willing to freeze the conflict along current front lines in exchange for major concessions—a scenario likely unacceptable to Kyiv. Talks in London involving officials from the U.K., France, Germany, Ukraine, and the U.S. were recently downgraded after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff withdrew.
The U.S. is now pivoting its focus to discussions in Moscow, where Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Putin again. However, the outcome of those talks remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to demand “an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire.
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