Former CIA director David Petraeus outlines two key actions the West can take to force Russia to end the war in Ukraine: unlocking frozen Russian funds and dismantling Moscow’s war economy through tougher sanctions.
Petraeus: The War Can Be Ended — If the West Acts Decisively
Former CIA director and retired four-star general David Petraeus believes the West holds two powerful tools that could force Vladimir Putin to halt Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Petraeus said that using frozen Russian assets and crippling Russia’s war economy would make it impossible for Moscow to continue fighting.
“As a commander in two wars, I know the cost of conflict,” Petraeus said. “No one wants it to end more than those directly involved. But it must end in a lasting, just, and reasonable way.”
Negotiations Unlikely—Russia’s Demands Remain Maximalist
Petraeus warned that immediate peace negotiations are unrealistic.
Russia’s demands remain extreme, he said — including:
- replacing President Zelensky with a pro-Russian figure
- enforcing major demilitarization of Ukraine
- demanding control over territories it has not conquered
“These are fortified cities,” Petraeus noted. “Russia paid enormous casualties just to advance around Pokrovsk and still achieved modest strategic results in two years.”
Two Moves That Could Change the War
Petraeus argues the West can reshape the battlefield with two strategic actions.
1. Use Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine
European nations currently hold $200–250 billion in frozen Russian reserves.
Petraeus proposes using this money as collateral to issue bonds, with the proceeds going directly to Ukraine.
This would allow Ukraine to:
- acquire advanced weapons like Patriot and missile-defense systems
- double drone production from 3.5 million to 7 million annually
- stabilize its economy within two to three years
2. Break Russia’s War Economy
Petraeus says Russia’s economy is far more fragile than it appears.
The national welfare fund could run out within a year because it is being drained to support military production.
He urges the West to target all actors enabling Russia’s war machine, including buyers of:
- Russian oil and gas
- chips
- motors
- magnets
“Most of these inputs come from China,” Petraeus said. Cutting this supply chain, he argues, would severely limit Russia’s ability to sustain the war.
Ukraine Strikes Back
Despite Russia’s heavy aerial bombardments, Ukraine continues targeting Russia’s critical infrastructure.
Petraeus notes that Ukrainian strikes have hit 30–50% of Russian oil refineries and fuel depots.
Ukraine is also fielding new Flamingo missiles, which have a longer range than the American Tomahawk.
Security Guarantees: Weapons Over Troops
When asked whether Ukraine needs NATO-style guarantees, Petraeus said any guarantee must be “impenetrable.”
However, he stressed that Western troops on the ground are not the answer.
“The best deterrence is massive supplies of weapons, ammunition, and advanced air and missile defense,” he said.
Russia Still Far From Major Territorial Goals
Petraeus dismissed Russian claims that they are close to conquering the entire Donetsk region.
“They have not even reached the main fortified belt,” he said.
“To get where they are now, they fought for two years and suffered losses that are unimaginable.”
Petraeus’s assessment is blunt:
Russia can be stopped — but only if the West fully uses its financial and economic leverage.
With Ukraine under pressure on the battlefield and Russia escalating attacks, decisions made in the coming months could determine the future of the war.
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