Over 1,000 days of the Russo-Ukrainian War

KYIV, Ukraine - As the days since Russia officially declared war on Ukraine well eclipse the 1,000-day mark, Ukrainians have seen their way of life thrown to the wayside as sweeping infrastructural damages and the mental toll of war tightens its grip on the nation.

Despite the apparent incessant nature of the conflict, both sides appear outwardly confident that a cease-fire can be reached - that is if their respective terms are met.

Up until this point, Ukraine and Russia both posture as unlikely to abet the demands of the other in reaching a peace deal, which strongly suggests that third-party involvement is necessary to reach any kind of diplomatic agreement.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that, had the United States’ 2020 Presidential Election “victory hadn’t been stolen,” the “crisis in Ukraine,” never would have come to fruition.

Putin and United States President Donald Trump have long had a complicated and conflicting relationship. Yet Trump possesses a unique amiability with Putin that could prove essential in navigating a ceasefire.

Just as easily, however, the United States could bow down to the military advances of Russia, cut off all support to its ally of Ukraine, and effectively lay out a red carpet for Russia to continue its siege.

This outcome has certainly turned into a possibility; with the current Trump administration pushing “America First” foreign and domestic policy, the yearly outpouring of billions in military aid to Ukraine would be unlikely to continue.

The support of the United States in staving off Russia’s advances can not be understated; to date, it has provided over $106 billion in direct aid to the Ukrainian government.

To show for it, Ukraine has succeeded in reclaiming 54% of its territory lost to Russia since the start of the war. Trump looks to simultaneously ensure a swift end to the war while also withdrawing the United States’ financial pledge to the territory.

Since the signing of the Budapest Memorandum on Dec. 5, 1990 (an agreement that prohibited the United States, United Kingdom and Russia from the use of military force against the sovereign states of Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan), Russia has made it a habit to violate diplomatic agreements in order to proliferate its global stake of power.

Due to this, even if an agreement is reached in the coming months, the clock may just begin ticking down again to the next violation.

Trip Tagle is a second-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact them, please email tnt5403@psu.edu.