KYIV — On a devastating day when a Russian missile strike claimed the lives of over 50 innocent people in a grocery store and cafe in eastern Ukraine, a visitor inquires about the nation’s ability to endure this brutal and exhausting war. In her sandbagged office, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko pauses before responding, emphasizing that they have no alternative. This is an existential war, and there is no option but to fight for their survival.
Svyrydenko, who also serves as the economy minister, outlines her plans to sustain the country during this prolonged conflict: facilitating loans for starting businesses and attracting refugees, providing subsidies for farmers to clear landmines, and offering war-risk insurance to encourage foreign investment. Although it may sound like a lofty dream, Svyrydenko points out that there is a backlog of 40,000 people waiting for government mortgages to purchase homes in this devastated nation.
The war in Ukraine is a poignant mix of heartbreak and inspiration. The weariness and sadness of the people are evident. The conflict is draining the country’s resources. Ukrainians I spoke to during my four-day visit acknowledge that they cannot fight indefinitely in pursuit of an elusive victory. However, they refuse to give up.
Mariia Mezentseva, a member of parliament from Kharkiv, speaks passionately about attending numerous funerals over the past 18 months and vows to continue until they expel Russians from all occupied territories. She firmly states that stopping is not an option.
Pavlo Klimkin, a former foreign minister, acknowledges that people are exhausted. Last year, there was confidence, even overconfidence. Now, the war feels like a classic attrition battle. Almost every family has experienced loss. Klimkin understands that only an option leading to victory is acceptable because the fight is personal.
As winter approaches, hopes for a breakthrough in the counteroffensive launched this summer have faded. However, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal assures that the fight will carry on, and he is preparing a budget for the upcoming year that assumes another 12 months of war. He recently addressed a group from the McCain Institute, which accompanied me on this trip. The group included representatives from companies like Microsoft, Palantir, and drone-manufacturers Fortem Technologies and Skydio, all of whom are aiding Ukraine.
But now, Ukrainians seem more open to discussing ways to end the war compared to my visits last year. At a lively debate among parliamentarians during a dinner at a restaurant on the Dnieper River, the topic of how to save the country is passionately discussed:
Oleksiy Goncharenko, an opposition member from Odessa, voices his concerns about the lack of progress on the front lines and suggests seeking security guarantees from NATO instead of pursuing the expulsion of Russia from occupied territories. Other parliamentarians vehemently disagree, stating that the military defense of their country is the only viable option. They firmly believe that Ukraine must fight on until it regains complete sovereignty over its 1991, post-Soviet territory, refusing to give up on Crimea.
There is a heated exchange of opinions, and in the end, there are no easy answers. But one thing is clear, Ukraine is dependent on the United States. Ukrainian defense officials express their conviction that the war is necessary and stress the vital importance of continued U.S. shipments of weapons.
Left to contemplate the struggle Ukrainians are enduring, the question of the right path forward weighs heavily. In just wars, perseverance is key, especially in the face of despair. As long as Ukraine has the will to continue, and the United States and its allies remain steadfast in their support, staying the course is the right decision.
However, if Ukraine genuinely questions its ability to sustain a multi-year fight, it must consider freezing the conflict on its terms, securing a guarantee from the United States. Ukraine remains in grief, having witnessed countless deaths due to the war. As a superpower, the United States can attempt to guide this conflict towards a resolution that protects Ukraine without rewarding Russian aggression. But asking Ukrainians to abandon their cause is futile – they won’t do it.
[Comment on this story]
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
