Ukraine and Russia have been at war for nearly three years, with tensions dating back to 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea. Crimea is located in Eastern Europe and became a part of Ukraine in 1954 when it was transferred from Russia during the time of the Soviet Union.  Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Since then, the war has caused immense human suffering and displacement, as millions have been forced to flee their homes. The conflict has also devastated Ukraine’s industry, agriculture, and infrastructure, and it has claimed countless lives.

As the war continues, one question remains: when will it end? While no definitive answer has emerged, various peace talks have been proposed. However, the war still creates a significant threat, with concerns that it could set dangerous precedents. If Russia succeeds in its invasion of Ukraine, this raises the question of where Russia could go next. Would this encourage Russia to expand further? China’s undeclared actions are another primary concern. If Russia wins, there are fears that China might seize the opportunity to invade Taiwan.

The path to peace, however, remains filled with obstacles. Both sides hold firm positions, and past peace talks have largely stalled. Russia’s demands, including recognizing its territorial gains, are unlikely to be accepted by Ukraine. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for Russian withdrawal and restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty. The role of international mediators will be crucial in finding common ground, but achieving lasting peace will require compromise and a willingness to heal the deep wounds caused by the conflict.

The United States has expressed strong concern over the situation by providing over $56.3 billion in aid to Ukraine under President Joe Biden’s administration. However, with President Donald Trump now in office, there are questions about how U.S. support will develop. If elected, Trump promised to end the war quickly, though concrete actions have yet to be taken. On Feb. 12, 2025, Trump reported that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy have expressed a desire for peace. Trump also instructed U.S. officials to begin discussions to end the ongoing war.

If peace is reached, it could be a great relief for the United States, Ukraine, and the world. Ending the war would save countless lives, prevent further destruction, and help stabilize global relations. The potential for peace offers hope that the immense cost of human life can be reduced and a peaceful path can be found. However, peace is easier said than done. Since negotiations have begun, there has been turmoil between Trump and Zelenskyy. After Trump and Zelenskyy met at the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025, there was reportedly conflict between the two. Soon after, Trump cut off all aid from America, which was a massive blow to Ukraine’s war effort.  Despite this new development, Zelenskyy said he was open to negotiation again and that the hope for peace seemed more probable. Following Zelenskyy’s apology, President Trump stated that he would lift the aid ban and start funding again.