The Perils of Appeasement: Why Giving in to Putin Will Only Make Things Worse

Imagine you’re in a schoolyard. There’s a bully demanding part of your lunch every day. You think, “If I just give him half my sandwich, maybe he’ll leave me alone.” So you hand over the sandwich. The bully takes it—then the next day demands your drink as well. That’s how bullying works: once you show weakness, it rarely ends; it just invites more demands.

This is, in simple terms, the problem with appeasement on the world stage—especially with someone like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Brief Look Back: The “Munich Agreement” and Appeasement in 1938

To understand why appeasement doesn’t work, we can look at a famous moment in history called the Munich Agreement. In 1938, Europe was tense. Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany, wanted part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland. Great Britain and France, desperately hoping to avoid another world war, agreed to let Hitler take it. They shook hands, came home claiming they had secured “peace for our time.”

But did it stop there? No. By giving in to Hitler’s demand for one piece of land, they effectively taught him that more aggression might still work. Within months, Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, and soon, World War II began—one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. Appeasement failed and ended up causing far more harm in the long run.

Today’s Schoolyard Bully: Putin and Ukraine

Fast-forward to today. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing, starting with Crimea in 2014, then expanding into a full-scale war in 2022. Some voices in the United States—like former President Donald Trump or Senator J.D. Vance—have been accused of flirting with the idea of a “deal” that might let Putin keep part of Ukraine, in exchange for peace.

That might sound like a quick fix. If you’re unfamiliar with world affairs, you might think: “Why not just let Russia have that land? Wouldn’t that stop the fighting?” The problem is, it’s the same faulty logic that played out in the schoolyard—and, more famously, in 1938 at Munich.

1. Encouraging More Demands: If Putin can seize territory by force and be rewarded with official ownership, what stops him from demanding more later?
2. Morale and Confidence: Ukraine’s people have been fighting to defend their homes. Allowing Putin to keep land taken by aggression would be a severe blow to their morale—and it sends a signal that standing your ground might not matter if bigger powers negotiate away your rights.
3. International Precedent: Other countries with territorial ambitions (like China eyeing Taiwan) may feel justified in using force if they see little or no punishment for Russia.

Why Appeasement Teaches the Wrong Lesson

Giving in to a bully—whether on a playground or the global stage—almost never produces lasting peace. Instead, it signals that the bully’s behavior works. That’s why appeasing Putin is a mistake:

• Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Sure, you might see a lull in immediate fighting, but it sets the stage for potential future conflicts that might be even larger.
• Destabilizing the Region: When one country gets away with breaking international rules, it chips away at the trust and stability between nations.
• Diminishing Deterrence: If aggressors believe the world won’t really stop them, they’re far more likely to keep pushing their luck.

The China-Taiwan Angle

Why does this matter for Asia? Well, China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory. If China sees that Russia can take over parts of Ukraine without facing unified, steadfast resistance, it might calculate it can do the same to Taiwan.

• If the Punishment Is Weak: China could assume it can weather any global sanctions or condemnations and still come out on top.
• If Appeasement Is Offered: A deal where Russia gains land sets a precedent that might embolden China to try the same strategy: invade, hold territory, then negotiate from a position of strength.

Conclusion: Stopping the Bully

Giving in to force teaches future aggressors that they can get what they want simply by threatening violence. The world learned this lesson the hard way in 1938 and again in the early stages of World War II. With Putin’s aggression against Ukraine, history is, in many ways, repeating itself.

Appeasement doesn’t bring lasting peace—it only encourages more reckless behavior. Ensuring a strong, united response to aggression might feel risky or expensive now, but it’s often far cheaper and safer than dealing with a bigger conflict after the bully has grown even bolder.