Written by (Mohamed El Baba)
The war is not over yet, but has entered a new phase. Some international players are still seeking to push Ukraine towards a “quick peace”, which is in fact just a temporary truce for Russia and a strategic loss for Ukraine. In an interview with the BBC, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba clearly emphasized that those who are now promoting peace on Putin’s terms do not want Ukraine to win, but only seek to end the war at any cost, even if it requires making concessions to the aggressor.
One example of this approach is the so-called “three-part peace plan”, which, according to Fox News, was discussed by the United States and the Russian Federation in Saudi Arabia. The “peace plan” includes three stages: a ceasefire, holding elections in Ukraine, and signing a final agreement. These provisions seem to serve only the interests of the United States and Russia, while they do not serve Ukraine at all.
A ceasefire without guarantees of the liberation of the occupied territories does not mean peace, but merely freezing the conflict. This will give Russia an opportunity to regroup its forces, strengthen its military capabilities, and prepare for a new phase of the war in the future.
Holding elections in wartime is not only a threat to democracy, but an outright provocation. Holding them, especially in the occupied Ukrainian territories, will lead to a loss of control over the electoral process and open the way for manipulation and external interference. Russia and its proxies will immediately take advantage of the chaos to destabilize the situation, and the election results will be recognized as illegitimate by both Ukrainians and the international community.
As for the final agreement, it is self-evident. Instead of the complete liberation of the occupied territories, Ukraine will fall into the “Minsk trap,” forcing it to accept compromises that will only prolong the suffering of the war.
This so-called peace plan is not a means to end the war, but a trap for Ukraine. It aims to create the illusion of a peace process, while in fact it allows the Kremlin to buy time and preserve its illegal territorial gains. It is worth noting that in this context there are suggestions that President Zelensky “faces little chance” of being re-elected. This suggests that some political forces in Washington are seeking to change the government in Ukraine, hoping to find a leader more willing to compromise.
Meanwhile, according to Fox News, the United States and Russia have already begun negotiations on post-war economic opportunities. This is a matter of great concern, because the question is not how to rebuild Ukraine, but who will control this process. Western powers must not repeat the mistakes of the past, when the aggressor was not only punished for his crimes, but also given the opportunity to regain influence through economic leverage.
Ukraine’s strategy must be clear and consistent: no concessions that would enhance Russia’s territorial gains or undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. This strategy should include several crucial elements: first, no ceasefire without a comprehensive plan to liberate the occupied territories; second, no elections during the war, since democracy cannot function under the threat of Russian aggression; third, any peace negotiations must address Russia’s responsibility for aggression and war crimes and the reparations it will provide to Ukraine. Ukraine and its allies must realize that any “compromise” with the Kremlin now only delays the inevitable and increases the risk of a larger conflict in the future. The civilized world has two choices: either make concessions that allow Russia to regain its strength, or continue the struggle for a real victory. Ukraine did not pay a high price for its freedom to allow anyone to impose peace on the aggressor’s terms. The world must understand that if Ukraine loses, it will not only be a tragedy for Ukraine, but will be the prelude to a new global conflict in which no one will remain on the sidelines.
