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On the other side, Russia, with its annexed territories, also faces internal pressures, especially from nationalist factions and military hawks. The Kremlin's goal appears to be the formal annexation of the four key Ukrainian provinces—Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—currently partially or fully occupied by Russian forces. Despite the legal and moral illegitimacy of these claims, internal Russian politics and strategic priorities push the Kremlin toward annexation rather than withdrawal.
The Impasse and Possible Outcomes
Given these circumstances, the prospects for a swift or straightforward resolution seem bleak. Even if a ceasefire or an armistice is negotiated, the underlying issues—territorial disputes, ideological divisions, and national identities—remain unresolved.