(KYIV) – As the full scale invasion enters its fifth year, the prevailing conclusion among Ukrainians and international observers is that the only viable peace plan requires the total defeat and demilitarisation of Russia. This objective is viewed not merely as a matter of international law but as a necessity for restoring moral clarity and justice. Central to this effort is the concept of unity, which remains the primary requirement for a Ukrainian victory. This sense of collective purpose, visible since the earliest days of the 2022 invasion, remains a factor that the Russian dictator cannot break with missile strikes or subversion.
Analysts and observers have noted that the Russian Federation is proving itself structurally incapable of maintaining an empire in the 21st century. With a population of approximately 140 million, the attempt to dominate a neighbouring nation of 40 million has resulted in a strategic quagmire. While the Kremlin may seize specific territories in eastern Ukraine, the original objective of establishing total political control has failed. The current trajectory suggests that the Russian dictator, despite his efforts to restore past greatness, will ultimately be remembered as the leader who presided over the disintegration of the Russian empire.
The conflict has also served as a global test of resilience. While some political figures, particularly those associated with the movement in the United States involving “red hats,” have expressed scepticism or indifference, the broader international community in Europe, Japan, and Australasia has remained steadfast. Experts suggest that the Kremlin relies on “moral inversion,” attempting to make victims feel responsible for the aggression they suffer. This tactic, often used by unaccountable powers, seeks to confuse the public into viewing man made aggression as a natural disaster for which the victim is to blame.
Furthermore, the experience of the last four years has highlighted the failure of soft diplomacy. Observers from the Baltic states argue that the Kremlin only respects the language of force. To ensure the sanctity of borders and maritime security, a robust military response is deemed essential. Beyond the battlefield, the war has revealed the depth of Ukrainian identity. Unlike the cynical view of democracy sometimes held in the West, Ukrainians have demonstrated a profound belief in the rule of law and personal agency. This cultural commitment to solving problems rather than deferring to a central authority has survived centuries of Russian imperial and Soviet attempts at erasure.
