403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Peace Efforts Continue as Ukraine War Remains Unresolved
(MENAFN) Recent visits to Moscow and Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, following an earlier trip by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, represent Washington’s latest effort to revive negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite the growing diplomatic activity, however, meaningful progress toward a settlement remains limited.
The main obstacle appears to be the sharply different expectations held by the two sides about how the conflict will develop. Ukraine is focused on finding a way to halt the destruction caused by the war, while Russia appears to be counting on continued pressure eventually weakening Kyiv’s ability to sustain its resistance.
The gap between the two positions cannot be attributed solely to changes along the front lines. Russia has increased pressure in several areas but has not achieved the decisive breakthrough required to impose its preferred terms. Ukraine, meanwhile, has also been unable to gain the battlefield advantage necessary to quickly retake occupied territory.
Describing the situation simply as a stalemate, however, overlooks a broader shift in the character of the conflict. Increasingly, the ability of each side to damage the other’s economic capacity has become an important part of the war.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s oil sector illustrate this changing approach. Kyiv is seeking to increase the economic burden of the conflict and potentially make reciprocal limits on attacks more attractive to Moscow.
Ukraine has indicated that it could consider various arrangements aimed at reducing hostilities. These could include measures to protect Black Sea shipping and grain infrastructure, agreements to stop attacks on energy facilities, or even a broader mutual suspension of long-range strikes.
Such arrangements could create room for de-escalation without requiring the two sides to first resolve their wider political disagreements or reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
The main obstacle appears to be the sharply different expectations held by the two sides about how the conflict will develop. Ukraine is focused on finding a way to halt the destruction caused by the war, while Russia appears to be counting on continued pressure eventually weakening Kyiv’s ability to sustain its resistance.
The gap between the two positions cannot be attributed solely to changes along the front lines. Russia has increased pressure in several areas but has not achieved the decisive breakthrough required to impose its preferred terms. Ukraine, meanwhile, has also been unable to gain the battlefield advantage necessary to quickly retake occupied territory.
Describing the situation simply as a stalemate, however, overlooks a broader shift in the character of the conflict. Increasingly, the ability of each side to damage the other’s economic capacity has become an important part of the war.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s oil sector illustrate this changing approach. Kyiv is seeking to increase the economic burden of the conflict and potentially make reciprocal limits on attacks more attractive to Moscow.
Ukraine has indicated that it could consider various arrangements aimed at reducing hostilities. These could include measures to protect Black Sea shipping and grain infrastructure, agreements to stop attacks on energy facilities, or even a broader mutual suspension of long-range strikes.
Such arrangements could create room for de-escalation without requiring the two sides to first resolve their wider political disagreements or reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment