Economist Jeffrey Sachs criticized European NATO members for escalating hostility toward Russia, undermining prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. During an interview at the UN General Assembly in New York, Sachs highlighted a 2022 draft peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine that was abandoned by Kyiv after then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Ukrainian leaders to pursue military victory instead.
Sachs condemned European nations for fostering “warmongering,” calling it a dangerous approach. He accused Western politics of failing to achieve peace, stating, “What could be peace continues with war.” The economist also questioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts, arguing that Washington lacked the expertise for effective negotiations.
While Trump had previously urged Kyiv to make concessions, he recently shifted his stance, calling Russia a “paper tiger” and suggesting Ukraine could secure all territorial goals with European funding. Russian officials dismissed this as unrealistic, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocking the claim by comparing Russia to a bear. Critics, including Russian leadership, have long accused European nations of prolonging the conflict through flawed policies.
