Victory. A word everyone longs to claim. To win. In war, every side strives to be on the winning end. But for Ukraine, the concept of victory isn’t so straightforward.
Western leaders—particularly in Europe and America—have repeatedly pledged to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes." Not "until they win." The distinction is subtle but profound. There is a vast difference between standing by indefinitely and actively ensuring victory.
In Ukraine, a common question arises: "What does victory look like for you?" People give hopeful answers—peaceful skies, no bombs, freedom, safety, an end to military conscription. But there’s another, more uncomfortable question to consider: "What does loss look like for you?"
It's a difficult question, one that’s hard to face. And in this blog post, that’s exactly what I want to explore.
PEACE, WITH A STAB IN THE BACK
In previous posts, I’ve outlined what is known about Russia’s idea of "peace." Their goal is to keep the four oblasts they illegally annexed in 2022—Crimea, of course, goes without saying. They want to weaken Ukraine’s military, reducing it to a small, lightly armed force incapable of real defense. No Western troops in Ukraine. No NATO membership. Ukraine must remain neutral. If there are any post-conflict observers, they must be unarmed.
Ukraine has also made its red lines clear when it comes to peace negotiations:
- No further territorial concessions beyond what is currently occupied.
- The return of civilians from occupied territories. These are not prisoners of war and should not be part of any war prisoner exchanges.
- The return of kidnapped children, numbering in the thousands, taken by Russia.
- Solid international guarantees from Western partners to ensure Russia does not invade Ukraine again.
Clearly, Ukraine and Russia are on completely different pages. Meanwhile, Trump and Putin are expected to hold talks in the near future. The fear is that Trump could strike a deal at Ukraine’s expense and pressure Europe to accept it. And if European leaders refuse, there’s a real concern that Trump will simply throw up his hands and say, "That's it. I'm done."
WHAT DOES PEACE NEGOTIATIONS MEAN?
If we look at what Russia is proposing, it amounts to Ukraine losing the war. It would render all the fighting since 2022 meaningless, the sacrifices in vain, and the countless lives lost for nothing. Handing over oblasts that Russia doesn’t even fully control would not only set a dangerous precedent for other aggressive nations but also be devastating for the millions of Ukrainians living there.
For Ukrainians, life under Russian occupation is nothing short of torture. Many are forcibly relocated as Russia seeks to replace them with its own citizens. And for those who remain, the alternatives are even worse. In Mariupol, for example, civilians have been subjected to brutal filtration processes—starved, beaten, and coerced into accepting Russian passports just to access basic necessities like medical care or humanitarian aid. Men are forcibly conscripted into the Russian army, sent to fight against their own people.
In these occupied territories, ordinary civilians have been deported to Russia and forced to work under harsh conditions. They are subjected to relentless propaganda and indoctrination. Thousands of children have been kidnapped, "russified" through Kremlin-controlled education, and paraded on Russian social media by families boasting about adopting them. These children have families desperately trying to get them back, yet they remain trapped—many suffering from neglect and abuse.
Ukrainians in these occupied areas have not even seen their homes or cities repaired after Russia’s brutal bombings. Instead, they are forced to live in harsh, substandard conditions, abandoned by the very regime that claims to have "liberated" them.
WHAT ABOUT THE PRISONERS OF WAR?
I want to briefly touch on another critical issue. Throughout the war, Ukrainian POWs have been subjected to horrific treatment. This is well-documented. Russia has shown complete disregard for the Geneva Convention, treating prisoners worse than animals. Rape, torture, and abuse are rampant. Russian soldiers may not excel in combat, but they have perfected the use of torture chambers.
Even if peace negotiations are reached, there is no guarantee that all Ukrainian POWs will be released or exchanged. We continue to see disturbing reports of Russian forces executing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers in cold blood—ignoring the fundamental rules of war that require prisoners to be taken into custody and treated humanely.
UKRAINE CRIPPLED, EUROPE EXPOSED
There is a clear reason why Russia wants Ukraine to be neutral and without a functioning army—Moscow is preparing for the possibility of invading again in the future. Zelenskyy understands this, which is why he is urgently pushing for ironclad international guarantees. Ukraine does not want to endure another full-scale war or force future generations to relive these horrors.
But there is another, equally troubling reason.
Looking at the map, Ukraine shares borders with several European countries. Russia will likely demand security guarantees that allow it to "intervene" if Ukraine appears to be under threat. This would provide the perfect excuse for Russian forces to position themselves across a vast front, stretching from Finland to the Black Sea. Such a move would place all of Europe under an unprecedented threat.
A strong Ukraine is not just vital for Ukrainians—it is essential for the security of the entire continent. We must not lose sight of that.
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| Credit: Google Maps |
CONCLUSION
Ukraine’s fight is not just for its own survival, but for the security of Europe as a whole. Russia’s vision of "peace" would erase Ukraine’s sacrifices, empower future aggressors, and subject millions to brutal occupation. The atrocities in occupied territories and the abuse of POWs highlight Russia’s complete disregard for human rights.
Russia’s push for a neutral, disarmed Ukraine is not about peace—it’s about preparing for future invasions and positioning forces across Europe’s eastern border. A strong Ukraine is vital not just for its people, but for Europe’s security.
The West must stand firm with Ukraine, because anything less than victory is surrender! Surrender for Ukraine, and for democracy, the West and freedom.
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