A proposed framework to end Russia's war in Ukraine is being condemned as a dangerous capitulation that rewards aggression and could set a precedent for future conflict in Europe, according to a letter published in the Toronto Sun on December 6, 2025.
Details of the Controversial Proposal
The plan, as outlined, would require Russia to cease hostilities but would allow it to retain control over approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory seized since the invasion began. In return, Ukraine would face significant constraints, including a reduction in the size of its military and a formal agreement to forgo membership in NATO and not host NATO troops on its soil.
While the proposal includes a U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine, the letter's author, Donald Moskowitz of Londonderry, New Hampshire, points to a grim historical precedent. He notes that Ukraine received a similar guarantee from the U.S. in 1994 after agreeing to disarm its nuclear arsenal and transfer the weapons to Russia. Despite complying, Ukraine was later invaded by Russia in 2014 and 2022.
A Dangerous Historical Parallel
Moskowitz draws a direct comparison between the current peace proposal and the Munich Agreement of September 30, 1938. That pact, signed by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Nazi Germany's Adolf Hitler, ceded part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler in exchange for a promise of no further expansion. From 1939 to 1944, Hitler proceeded to invade and occupy large swaths of Europe.
The author argues the proposed plan similarly rewards an invading power and would provide Russia with the impetus to pursue future military campaigns further west. A key point of contention is the provision to lift all sanctions on Russia, allowing it to resume unfettered global trade and rebuild its economic and military capacity.
Broader Context and Reader Reaction
The letter was part of a series published in the Toronto Sun's December 6 edition, which also featured a note from a Canadian reader complaining about high alcohol duties. Tom C. Newell of Niagara Falls, Ontario, described being charged $29 in duty for a $18 bottle of rum purchased at a duty-free store upon returning from Buffalo, calling it a "cash-grab."
The publication of Moskowitz's letter underscores the ongoing international debate over how to achieve a durable peace in Ukraine without legitimizing territorial conquest. The comparison to the Munich Agreement highlights deep concerns that concessions to Russia could embolden further aggression, echoing one of the most consequential diplomatic failures of the 20th century.
