The Ukraine war is hopefully going to be ended amidst the change in the US administration. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, the present President of the United States, Donald Trump who took oath on January 20, 2025, is in favor of the resolution of the war — started with the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — and has indicated it several times. Additionally, Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, and Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, have in the meantime expressed the intention of ending the Ukraine war. But it remains unclear whether the Ukraine war will end soon and whether there will be lasting peace between the parties.
Given the emphasis of the new US administration and the intention of the warring parties, the war will probably be ended for sure. While Putin says that he is “ready for an equal dialogue, a mutually respectful dialogue”, Trump says that “We’ll meet as soon as we can”. But reaching peace and addressing various concerns through peace talks will probably take some time, even if peace talks start soon. It is notable that the timeframe for starting talks between or among the parties and ending the Ukraine war, which has so far led to the deaths of tens of thousands (both Russians and Ukrainians) and brought many other negative outcomes including the displacement of a large number of people, is not yet clarified. Moreover, neither of the parties has initiated any move to hold peace talks, though they are interested.
Pertinently saying, there are territorial, security related and other reasons that may hinder the desired resolution and take some time to resolve. But reaching mutually acceptable terms of the resolution may be mainly challenging for the differing interests of the warring parties in terms of occupied territories and Ukraine’s post-war security concerns (from the threats of Russia that occupied Crimea in 2014). Notably, Kyiv does not want to give up its territories (including the Donbas), which are occupied by Russia with its invasion, while the latter is unwilling to give back occupied territories to Ukraine. Although Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed intention to cede some currently occupied land temporarily, occupied territories make efforts hard to negotiate and reach peace.
But the Ukraine war is desired to be ended and the earlier end of it will be beneficial and help reduce the deaths and destruction of both parties. Bringing the warring leaders to the discussion tables is vital to finding an acceptable resolution to the Ukraine war earlier. But, for this, the role of the United States is vital. Negotiations on the disputed issues including territories will help reach peace between the parties. But a clear security guideline for Ukraine is desired to address its concerns for security guarantee from Russian threats once the war ends within a few months or later.
But instead of reaching a mere ceasefire deal between the parties, reaching a permanent resolution to the war is better and desirable. Though the ceasefire will end the conflicts for now, it will not address various concerns including territorial and security concerns. A peace deal will help address the concerns, provide a security guarantee for Ukraine after the end of the war and bring back normalcy in conflicting areas — increasing the chance of lasting peace.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
