As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drags into its fourth year, the Kremlin’s inability to define victory is becoming its most dangerous weakness. What began as a “special operation” has devolved into a grinding, open-ended campaign with no clear political, military, or diplomatic off-ramp.

Official narratives now revolve around vague goals: creating a buffer zone, protecting Donbas, or weakening NATO. But these are not objectives — they are justifications for strategic drift.

Meanwhile, Ukraine, though battered, remains resilient. Western aid has been critical, but so too has been the unity of Ukraine’s society and its clear national goal: full territorial restoration. This clarity starkly contrasts with Russia’s strategic confusion.

For the West, the war is no longer just about Ukraine’s sovereignty — it’s about the future of deterrence and democratic resilience. Every day the conflict continues, Moscow becomes more isolated, its economy more brittle, and its global influence more contingent on authoritarian partnerships.

Ending the war will not come from negotiation tables under pressure — it will come when Russia loses the capacity to sustain its aggression.

#RUSSIA

#UKRAINE

09.07.2025 12:50