Ukraine, a war-torn wasteland after 3 years of Russia's invasion – Residents hold out hope for a peace treaty

Ukraine, a war-torn wasteland after 3 years of Russia's invasion – Residents hold out hope for a peace treaty

February 20: When Russian troops invaded Ukraine three years ago, they marched towards Kyiv with 'parade uniforms.' Russian President Vladimir Putin expected a swift victory. However, what Putin termed the "special military operation" has turned into Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, regarded as the largest war since World War II.

Tens of thousands have been killed in the war, most of the cities have been reduced to rubble, and millions of Ukrainians have become refugees, while Russia has been isolated from the West. Now, as senior Russian and U.S. officials sit down for talks again, Putin seems closer than ever to holding on to about a fifth of Ukraine's territory and preventing Ukraine from joining NATO.

President Donald Trump made a significant shift in the three-year-long U.S. policy of isolating Russia when he called Putin and said afterward that they agreed “to work closely together” to end the war. He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "will be involved" in negotiations but did not elaborate.

Putin’s key demands remain unchanged — Ukraine must renounce joining NATO and prioritize the use of the Russian language, but now he wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the four regions Russia has seized.

However, Putin has openly rejected a ceasefire, saying it would benefit Kyiv. Some experts believe Putin might accept a ceasefire if Ukraine agrees to hold elections.

During this time, a potential peace treaty for Ukraine, where Russia can independently achieve its goals, seems more achievable as Western unity erodes and Western support for Ukraine diminishes, allowing Putin to take his time and maneuver accordingly.