3 years of Russia-Ukraine war, no end in sight
New Delhi, Feb 24: As Ukraine marks three years of war, it faces ongoing attacks, land losses, economic struggles, and uncertain political support from its allies with no clear end in sight. The future remains uncertain, and much depends on whether peace talks gain momentum or if the fighting continues into a fourth year.
Millions of Ukrainians have lost their homes, thousands have died, and both countries have suffered heavy losses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprising statement on Sunday, saying he would be willing to step down as president if it could guarantee peace for Ukraine. "If my resignation would bring peace, I am ready. I can exchange it for NATO membership," Zelensky said at a press conference.
However, Ukraine’s chances of joining NATO remain uncertain. Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that Ukraine’s NATO membership was unrealistic for now. Zelensky previously warned that if NATO refused to admit Ukraine, his country would need to double the size of its army to defend itself.
Meanwhile, tensions between Ukraine and former U.S. President Donald Trump have escalated. Trump recently accused Ukraine of starting the war, later correcting himself by saying "Russia attacked" but blaming Zelensky and President Joe Biden for failing to stop the war sooner. In response, Zelensky called Trump’s remarks "disinformation," leading Trump to label the Ukrainian leader a "dictator."
As these political clashes unfold, Russia has intensified its attacks. On Sunday night, Russian forces launched a record-breaking attack on Ukraine, sending 267 drones, the most in a single night since the war began. At least one person was killed. Zelensky called the attack "aerial terror" and urged Ukraine’s allies, especially the U.S. and Europe, to remain united in supporting his country.
In the last three years of war, Ukraine has lost a lot. Since February 24, 2022, Media quoting officials say thar Ukraine has suffered devastating losses in terms of land, lives, and economy. Media quoting officials
CNN reported that Ukraine Has Lost 11% of Its Territory Since 2022. At the start of the war, Ukraine successfully defended its capital, Kyiv, and pushed back Russian forces from parts of Kharkiv and Kherson. However, Ukraine also suffered major defeats in the east, particularly in Donetsk and Bakhmut. Since 2022, Ukraine has lost 11% of its land to Russia. CNN suggested that if we include the land Russia took in 2014 (Crimea and parts of Donbas), Ukraine has lost 18% of its total territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had initially planned to capture all of Ukraine within a few days, but Ukrainian forces fought back with the help of weapons and aid from Western allies.
Other than land Ukraine according to UN reports as quoted by media, thousands have been killed and millions displaced, CNN reported that the war has forced over 6.3 million Ukrainians to flee to Europe, including 1.2 million to Germany, 1 million in Poland, 390,000 in the Czech Republic and 1.2 million in Russia.
The United Nations reports that at least 40,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed or injured due to the war. Many of these deaths were caused by bombings and missile attacks on cities.
Ukraine’s economy has massively suffered. Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure have been destroyed, and industries have collapsed.
So far, the United States has been the biggest financial supporter of Ukraine, providing around $95 billion in military, humanitarian, and financial aid since 2022. However, this aid is now at risk as Trump pushes for a deal where the U.S. would receive access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for continued support.
Trump has stated, "We can’t keep giving Ukraine money without getting something in return." Ukraine has rejected these demands, saying that military support should not come with conditions.
Meanwhile, the recent suspension of U.S. aid programs has already hurt Ukraine’s economy. Many local charities have shut down due to a lack of funding, and essential services like mental health helplines have been cut.
The situation remains difficult, and there are big ifs..,
Can Peace Talks Succeed?
Recently, U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia for peace discussions—but Ukraine was not invited. This decision caused panic among Ukraine’s European allies, who fear that the U.S. may be negotiating with Russia behind Ukraine’s back.
Will Ukraine Join NATO?
Zelensky continues to push for NATO membership, saying that without it, Ukraine will need to expand its army significantly. However, the U.S. and other NATO members remain cautious, fearing that admitting Ukraine could escalate the conflict further.
Will Trump Cut U.S. Support for Ukraine?
Under Trump, American military aid to Ukraine could be further reduced or stopped. Trump has criticized U.S. funding for Ukraine and wants a quick end to the war, but it is unclear what kind of peace deal he would support.
Will Europe continue to support Ukraine?
The European Union (EU) leaders will hold an emergency summit on March 6 to discuss Ukraine and Europe’s security. The decision comes after recent shifts in U.S. policy under the Trump administration, which has disrupted long-standing U.S. support for Ukraine and European defence commitments.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU officials will visit Kyiv on Monday on the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war to show solidarity and reaffirm their support for Ukraine.
