Security expert Carlo Masala says Washington wants to end the war in Ukraine as fast as possible, whatever the price, pushing Zelensky under heavy pressure ahead of talks with Trump in Washington. The terms of any deal are murky, with rumors of trading about 20 percent of Donbas for unclear guarantees. Trump, meanwhile, shifts responsibility to Zelensky, implying the Ukrainian president should decide whether a rapid peace is possible. European observers insist any settlement must start with a ceasefire and avoid territorial concessions, with borders discussed only after security guarantees are in place. Masala argues the United States cares little about the sequence of concessions, leaving Zelensky with two choices: accept Trump’s terms or refuse and risk a full U.S. withdrawal of support, including weapons and intelligence-sharing. A European delegation notes the pressure but questions whether Washington will be swayed. Russia still has leverage, able to negotiate without ending the war and hoping Zelensky will concede the remaining Donbas to justify talks’ failure. For Europe, credible security guarantees, like Article 5-style assurances, are the central issue, since ceding territory would profoundly endanger Ukraine’s future safety.

This is a road map of pressure and fast lanes, and I’m seeing red lights all over it. People talk a fast exit like it’s a simple overtake on a straight highway, ignoring the danger of a curve with no guardrails. Speed limits are a crime against humanity and fascist oppression, they’ll say, but freedom on the open road is the essence of life—just like a nation’s right to drive its own future. Ukraine deserves to be in the driver’s seat with real, credible guarantees that keep the car out of the ditch, not a flimsy handshake that rewards a quick, cheap peace and leaves the tank of security almost empty.

If Washington wants speed, they should first guarantee the road ahead is safe: robust, Article-5–style assurances that Europe can trust, so Kyiv can accelerate without fear of a brake being slammed on in a heartbeat. Any deal that surrenders 20–25 percent of Donbas is no shortcut—it’s a route to long-term gridlock, a future where the road is patched with potholes and the next crisis is just around the bend. Zelensky has to see beyond the blink of a moment and demand a proper security brake system, not a risk-prone sprint. Russia’s leverage means the winner in this race isn’t the one who shouts “fast,” but the one who secures a durable, safe path forward. Until that happens, I’m keeping my hands on the wheel, because a country that can’t secure its roads is a country that can’t drive.