Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering giving up territory occupied by Russia in order to end the ‘hot stage’ of the war. He is seeking NATO membership before achieving peace with Russia, a proposal that has not been officially offered to Ukraine before. Additionally, Ukraine has developed its own drone industry, using unmanned aerial vehicles to target Russian tanks, naval vessels, and weapons factories. The UK and the US have given Ukraine permission to use missiles they supply to hit military targets within Russia.
While Ukraine has made progress in recovering territory captured by Russia in 2022, Russia is now gaining ground again. Russia has fortified captured territory with lines of trenches and mine fields, making it difficult for Ukraine to break through and regain control. Russia is now on the offensive, ramping up weapons production and making advances across the frontline. Ukraine has struggled to mobilize new fighters to defend against the assault, with Russian drone and missile strikes causing damage to civilian infrastructure and leaving many without heat.
Russia has retaliated against Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles by launching drones and missiles on Ukrainian cities, leading to widespread destruction. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector as ‘depraved’. With Donald Trump set to return as US President in January, time is running out for Ukraine to achieve victory. Zelenskyy has outlined a plan for victory, including a formal invitation to join NATO and continued retaliation against Russia’s Kursk region.
Ukraine has struggled to hold back the rapid advance of Russian forces in recent months, with areas like Toretsk, Donetsk being particularly vulnerable. Zelenskyy believes that a ceasefire could halt Russia’s advance, but it would need to guarantee that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not come back. He emphasizes the need for immediate NATO protection of Ukrainian-held territory to prevent further Russian aggression. President-elect Trump reportedly supports the idea of Ukraine surrendering Russian-occupied territory in exchange for NATO membership, but Zelenskyy insists that membership should be granted within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains volatile as Russia continues to advance and Ukraine struggles to defend its territory. Zelenskyy’s proposal for NATO membership before peace with Russia has raised concerns among key allies. With the inauguration of President-elect Trump approaching and the potential for military funding cuts, Ukraine faces a critical period in its efforts to achieve victory and secure long-term stability. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, threatening the safety and security of civilians in the region.
