Headline Roundup • February 26th, 2025
What Might a Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Look Like?
Ukraine War,Russia,Vladimir Putin,Volodymyr Zelensky,Ukraine,Donald Trump,Marco Rubio,Saudi Arabia,NATO,European Union,EU
Summary from the AllSides News Team
As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, what could a peace deal look like?
Who's Involved: The U.S. recently met with Russia to discuss peace in the region, hosted by Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “surprised” they weren't offered a seat at the table and added that he would not accept any deal he wasn't physically present for. Trump's team said Ukraine would be a part of future negotiations, as would the European Union (EU). No future dates for peace talks have been scheduled, but Trump expressed he wants to move fast.
NATO Membership: Ukraine has repeatedly requested to join NATO, while Russia cited NATO expansion as a reason for its invasion. Some world leaders, such as Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, are supportive of Ukraine's bid to join NATO, but the Trump administration opposes the bid. Ukraine may be offered entrance into the EU as a compromise.
Security Guarantees: Absent NATO membership, Zelensky has suggested Ukraine should be given nuclear weapons and 200,000 foreign troops to safeguard any ceasefire. Trump’s Ukraine peace envoy Keith Kellogg called Ukraine's chance of acquiring nuclear weapons as slim to none. While some have said the West cannot produce 200,000 troops, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his country would commit to an unspecified number of peacekeeping troops.
Territory: Russia has claimed control over much of the easternmost frontlines, while Ukraine has control over roughly 262 square miles of Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Ukraine has said they will not recognize the eastern land as Russian, but will likely cede control if the fighting ends. The future of Kursk is unclear. Russia said it would not cede the land, but if it cannot expel Ukrainian troops, Ukraine may be able to use the region as leverage.
Featured Coverage of this Story
President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has, to some extent, already failed.
In February 2022, the Russian president ordered his troops to conquer Kyiv, decapitate Ukraine’s democratically elected government and install a puppet leader loyal to the Kremlin.
Three years later and one thing is clear: Putin has underestimated Ukrainian resolve. President Zelensky remains alive and Kyiv is no longer threatened by Russian tanks.
The US and Russia kicked off high-stakes talks Tuesday in Saudi Arabia that they hope will lay the groundwork to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.
President Trump has vowed to bring an end to the fighting and force both Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table.
The 4-1/2-hour meeting, which didn’t include Ukrainian officials, was the first time that Washington and Moscow have sat down together to discuss ways to halt the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.
Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
President Trump says he wants to “make a deal” to “STOP this ridiculous war” in Ukraine. His call with President Vladimir V. Putin, and a meeting expected this week between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, have raised expectations that negotiations could end three years of fighting.
But how would those talks actually work? Who would be involved? What could a deal look like?
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