The senseless war in Ukraine must end here and now. There is no reasonable person who does not recognise this and support it.
Even now, the war, which started without any reason or cause, simply to feed the megalomania and vanity of the bloodthirsty Russian dictator—must be brought to an end. It should have ended from the very next day after it began.
In seeking a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, it is inevitable that the decimated and exhausted Ukraine will have to make concessions. Unfortunately, Ukraine is the weaker party in this war, and the heroism and self-sacrifice of its people are no longer enough to change its fate. The Ukrainians themselves know and acknowledge this.
However, there is a difference between making necessary compromises and leaving Ukraine as prey to Putin, as envisioned in the original Trump plan tailored to Russia’s desires. The first person who must understand and change this is the American President, if he truly seeks peace and not the complete subjugation and disintegration of Ukraine.
If the U.S. President wants, he has, together with Europe, the power to impose a genuinely balanced solution for Ukraine. Putin and Russia are not as invincible as they want to appear. Their war has brought them to their knees as well.
Whatever happens in the coming period, Ukraine is at a difficult crossroads, facing critical decisions that must be made with logic, realism, and without self-destructive heroism.
Within this context, Ukraine could accept a reduction of its army, the removal of heavy and offensive weapons, and not joining NATO, as an unavoidable price for achieving peace. After all, if the Russian threat is eliminated through a strong agreement with guarantees, Ukraine would have no reason to maintain such a costly army and arsenal, while huge funds could be saved, funds urgently needed for the country’s reconstruction.
In the sphere of concessions for permanent peace, Ukraine could also renounce any claim to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia long before the 2022 invasion, even if through a disputed referendum of its residents, and potentially allow part, but not all, of Donbas to remain under Russian control.
If Ukrainians agree to these measures, they will have taken their own step toward an honorable compromise, though there is a real fear that even these concessions may not satisfy or curb Russia’s appetite.