Part 9/14:
The Future of Ukraine’s Territory and Negotiations
Looking ahead, Roio expressed skepticism about Ukraine regaining Crimea neatly in the near future. The Russian military’s significant gains and domestic political pressures make any territorial concessions highly unlikely. The reality is that the war could transition into a frozen conflict, with a potential demilitarized zone along a line of contact, possibly resembling a temporary DMZ.
He noted that proposals for a negotiated settlement might involve accepting a compromise that keeps certain territories with Russia, a move that Kyiv appears increasingly reluctant to entertain. The core challenge remains the conflicting national goals, entrenched interests, and the difficulty of trusting Russian commitments.