The war in Ukraine has been going on for more than three years and this has left detrimental effects on millions of people. Recent talks between President Zelensky, former U.S. President Trump and President Putin are giving citizens hope but also raising many questions about how the war in Ukraine could finally end.
Right now, two major issues are on the table. The first is whether Ukraine should give up some of its territory to Russia. The second is whether Ukraine can get strong, NATO-style protection guarantees from the U.S. and Europe, even if it never officially joins NATO.
Even though the recent meeting in Washington did not bring about ceasefire, it still brought about the foundation for this meeting.
Key One: Giving Up Territory
It is known that Russia is demanding to take control over parts of eastern Ukraine. This especially refers to areas of Donetsk and Luhansk (which it already occupies). Putin passed hints that Ukraine may need to accept the current terms.
Trump has also made a statement that “possible exchanges of territory” should be an option.
Zelensky concludes that this is practically an impossible choice and the constitution of Ukraine, does not allow government to give up or hand over land. The people of Ukraine have stuck to their word and noted that they will not accept losing their land. However, the pressure is getting worse, should land be given up in order to restore peace?
Key Two: NATO-Style Security Protection
If it comes to a point where Ukraine needs to make a concession, Zelensky is pushing for the guarantee of peace and security. This where NATO’s Article 5 comes, which basically means that if one member of NATO is attacked, all members will come to its defence.
Even though Ukraine is not in NATO, the idea of imposing an “Article-5-like” agreement has been said out loud. This would simply mean that if Russia attacked Ukraine, then countries in Europe (with the support of U.S.) will come to its rescue.
For Kyiv, this kind of protection could be the only way to ensure Russia doesn’t simply regroup and invade again in a few years.
Zelensky’s Balancing Act
These talks have put Zelensky in a predicament. He knows that Ukrainians want peace and tired of the war. However, on the other hand, he cannot legally agree to giving away Ukrainian land. He is aware of the importance of guaranteeing security but also does not accept giving away territory.
It’s a delicate balancing act, one that could decide his political survival as well as Ukraine’s future.
Questions Still Unanswered
The road ahead looks uneven. Some key questions remain:
- Can Russia be trusted to honour any agreement?
- If there is no NATO membership, will security guarantees be strong enough to prevent future attacks?
- Is there a way to freeze the frontlines without formally giving up land?
Many critics are concerned that offering Putin land in early stages, may give him the push to continue to do so in future.
Final Thoughts: Two Keys, One Lock
With all these talks being pushed around, two main factors still remain and that is territory and security. If Ukraine gives up land, there has to be reliable protection as this is a major sacrifice.
For peace to last, Ukraine would need ironclad protection against future Russian force, something that NATO membership would provide.
As it stands, the world is currently watching to see what kind of solutions these negotiations bring about, whether long lasting peace or just a temporary pause.