On 2nd March, we witnessed a heated debate between the U.S. President, VP Vance, and Zelensky, who was visiting the U.S. to negotiate arms deals and secure support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The discussion was intense, with both Trump and Vance pressuring Zelensky over a mineral extraction deal in exchange for aid—an offer Zelensky firmly rejected. In response, Trump openly criticized him, saying:
You are going to lose this war, and you can’t stand against Russia without our weapons. Otherwise, the war would have been over in 8 days.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is now slowly moving towards an end. Both countries have already suffered significant losses.
After every meeting of Congress, the U.S. used to hand over a $60 billion installment to Zelensky. The previous government had provided Ukraine with an enormous sum of approximately $350 billion to help it compete with Russia.
Now, despite suffering considerable losses, Russia continues the war with its own resources and has occupied some Ukrainian territories. Meanwhile, Zelensky is also not ready to back down. But in all of this, what is happening to the Ukrainian people?
This entire situation is merely a result of a few individuals’ egos and political stubbornness. Due to the obstinacy and personal interests of Putin, Trump, and Ukraine’s rulers, the Ukrainian people are left helpless. They have no guarantee of life—whether they will even see tomorrow. Families of those fighting on the frontlines live in constant distress. Students’ education has been disrupted, the tourism industry has collapsed, and life in border areas has come to a standstill.
The Cost and Losses of War
$350 billion is an enormous amount. It could have fed the poor worldwide and built better schools and homes, but instead, it was all thrown into war.
Ukraine kept taking this money from the U.S., and when the U.S. refused further funding, Zelensky went straight to Europe, hoping to secure more financial aid to continue fighting Russia.
Trump has clearly stated that “this war cannot be won because Russia is not willing to retreat at any cost”. Russia has vast resources, and a powerful army, and Ukraine’s weapons and support will always be weaker in comparison.
Zelensky’s Struggles and Hopes in Europe
Now, Zelensky has turned to the European Union for help. He hopes to negotiate a deal that minimizes Ukraine’s losses while securing additional financial aid. However, he will not accept a U.S.-style deal where aid is provided in exchange for access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian people are exhausted—they want peace. Almost three years have passed, but the war is not ending. Eventually, one day, this ego will break, and the war will conclude. But what will remain? Only destroyed homes, ruined lives, displaced people, and abandoned towns.
Comparison With Other Wars
The same is happening in Gaza—destruction follows the same pattern, which will eventually end with a peace agreement. Not mitigating the oppressions that Israel inflicted on the Palestinians, the problem is no longer just diplomatic and political; it is in the hands of the culprits around the world. The leaders of Europe and the U.S. themselves couldn’t even resist Israel by taking extreme measures, forcing the Palestinians to leave the place or be ready to die.
Likewise, in Afghanistan, after twenty years of war, an agreement was reached between the Taliban and the U.S., forcing American troops to withdraw.
Syria also witnessed decades of conflict, but in the end, the war ended within days when the government was overthrown.
Conclusion
History bears witness that war is nothing but the wastage of resources and the loss of human lives. Due to the stubbornness and hunger for power of leaders like Zelensky and Putin, people on both sides are suffering, Russians are more economically, and the Ukrainians are by the consequences of the war.
