A day prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin welcoming members of a “peace” delegation from U.S. President Donald Trump at the Kremlin, Ukraine’s former foreign minister shared his view on the current status of efforts to resolve the conflict in his country with an audience in Kyiv.
Dmytro Kuleba, who was a prominent figure for Ukraine when Russia initiated a full-scale invasion in February 2022, offered insights based on his experience within Ukraine’s government and exposure to international realpolitik.
Addressing a conference on December 1, Kuleba described Ukraine as facing a tactical defeat but highlighted a strategic victory on the horizon. Despite losing around 19% of its territory to Russia and witnessing the loss of tens of thousands of lives, Kuleba emphasized that surviving Putin’s attempts to dismantle Ukraine as a state and nation was a significant achievement.
While U.S. envoys presented a proposal in Moscow aimed at ending the war, Putin rejected the terms, indicating that Russia seeks more than what was offered. Putin’s demands have remained unwavering, including control over the Donbas region, restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities, and political changes within Ukraine.
Despite facing significant casualties and pressure, Putin remains steadfast in his goal of eliminating Ukraine’s sovereignty. Economic incentives to end the conflict have not swayed his stance.
Putin’s ambitions to restore the “Russian world” and his historical claims to Ukrainian territories have driven his aggressive actions. He perceives a Western-oriented Ukraine as a threat and has painted Ukrainian leaders as puppets of the West.
While polls indicate a desire for peace among Ukrainians, analysts believe that pressuring Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms is improbable. Public sentiment suggests a strong resistance to compromising Ukraine’s independence.
The role of Trump in the peace process remains crucial, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noting that Trump could potentially break the deadlock. The U.S. possesses the capability to support Ukraine militarily and economically, influencing the conflict’s trajectory.
Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the potential for the U.S. to disengage from the situation, emphasizing the importance of continued American interest in Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.
