Ukraine is running out of time — SkimNews
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- U.S., Ukraine and Russia plan another trilateral round later this month, reviving U.S.-backed peace efforts after more than four and a half years of war.
- Finland and Norway held direct talks with Vladimir Putin, described as Europe’s first such talks with him in a year.
- Russia has seized approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, while the invasion has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
- Anatol Lieven estimates that the war has killed 200,000-250,000 Ukrainians, millions have fled and are unlikely to return, the birthrate has collapsed, and the population may be half its 1990 level.
- Anatol Lieven argues that a compromise securing Ukraine’s sovereignty and empowering people to rebuild and return is a victory for Kyiv, noting that most wars end in messy compromise rather than complete victory.
- Ukrainians would rather have their government prioritize ending the war as soon as possible than pursue total victory, by a 2:1 margin.
- Washington continues to refuse to recognize Ukrainian preferences and on-the-ground realities, a stance Anatol Lieven calls a “noble lie” to officials, readers and constituents.
Why it matters: Washington’s peace strategy is being judged against a 2:1 Ukrainian preference for ending the war rather than seeking total victory. With roughly one-fifth of Ukraine occupied and an estimated 200,000-250,000 Ukrainians killed, Lieven argues that a sovereignty-preserving compromise would itself count as victory for Kyiv.
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