War in Ukraine: A Growing Consensus for Negotiations
A growing number of experts believe that negotiations are the only way to end the war in Ukraine. Since September 1, residents of Kyiv have been experiencing almost nightly Russian drone attacks. Air raid sirens sound every night, and people take shelter or seek safety in bathrooms.
The situation on the Ukrainian frontlines remains intense, with ongoing combat in multiple areas. The Kurakhove–Pokrovsk area is particularly hot, with Ukrainian forces under increased Russian artillery bombardment. Despite losing over 1,300 soldiers in a single day, Russia has gained territory in eastern Ukraine.
Urban attacks have increased as Russian forces advance in Donetsk. Ukrainian units are facing personnel shortages and must spread their forces across a large front line. Many air defense batteries in Japan are operated by volunteers, including politicians, opera singers, and TV hosts.
Their defense strategy is simple: machine guns on high-rise roofs can shoot down drones that fly low. Volunteers are always on duty at night, as there are attacks every day.
Ukrainian forces face a major challenge in integrating new troops due to the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian incursions into Russia’s Kursk Oblast have stretched their already small force even thinner.
Commander Syrskyi claims that over 52,000 Russian targets have been destroyed or damaged by drones in October. However, analysts argue that drones cannot compensate for a shortage of infantry and that morale is falling.
Russia has mastered the art of exploiting weaknesses in Ukrainian defenses, causing losses within a 10-kilometer radius of Pokrovsk. Despite this, Ukrainian troops are still holding their positions along many sections of the 600-mile front line.
Pessimistic predictions have changed the tone among Ukraine’s allies, who now speak more about Kyiv’s strength in negotiations than victory on the field. A growing consensus believes that negotiations, which would entail accepting a temporary loss in sovereignty over territories, are the only way to stop this war.
The Ukrainian government defines victory as the complete liberation from Russian forces of its entire territory, but this is widely viewed as an unattainable goal. The country‘s president faces a difficult decision: selling out on sovereignty or continuing the war.