Why Ukrainians Don’t Believe in Lasting Peace
Foreign Policy
by Andriy ZagorodnyukFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has confounded expectations at every turn. While some believed Ukraine would quickly succumb in 2022 or achieve a decisive victory in 2023, the war continues with no clear resolution in sight. Now, a new narrative is emerging: that the time is ripe for negotiated peace. However, this view overlooks deeper dynamics driving the conflict.
Russia's regime has become intrinsically tied to the war effort. For Moscow, Ukraine's integration into Western institutions like the EU and NATO poses an existential threat. Ending the war without achieving its goal of subjugating Ukraine would undermine Russian leader Vladimir Putin's authority. Meanwhile, Ukrainians remain deeply skeptical of any negotiated settlement, citing Russia's history of breaking agreements since 2014 and its unwavering commitment to
Verticals
politicsinternational
Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/23/2026