As Ukraine begins its fourth year of resisting Russia’s invasion, President Trump is roiling Western Europe by crafting a face-saving endgame for Moscow. This embrace of realpolitik — the art of the practical — may prove the only effective strategy for achieving a peace.

At Monday’s joint White House press conference with President Macron of France, Mr. Trump said the war could be ended “within weeks if we’re smart” or “it’ll keep going and we’ll keep losing young, beautiful people that shouldn’t be dying.” This staked out a position alongside anti-war groups. “Better red than dead,” as leftists in the 1960s said. Many opposed aid to those in places like Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, and Vietnam who were resisting Soviet expansionism throughout the Cold War.