“Both sides are nearing exhaustion”: combat in Ukraine may come to a halt in 2025 – The Economist

Combat operations in Ukraine could end in 2025.

This information reported according to an article by a contributor to the British magazine The Economist in its special supplement “The World Ahead 2025.”

“Both sides are nearing exhaustion, and supporters of each would prefer for the conflict to wind down. In Washington, this will become a priority for the new administration of Donald Trump,” the article suggests.

The publication assesses that the U.S. is running out of funds and weapons to support Ukraine, while also needing to assist Israel and Taiwan. Europe has even fewer resources, and Ukraine cannot manage on its own. This mounting pressure on the administration could lead to the negotiation of a peace agreement.

The Economist believes that Ukraine “will have to come to terms with losing part of its territory.” Kyiv is unlikely to receive an invitation to NATO but may obtain certain security guarantees.

“In any case, it now seems quite likely that discussions will begin in 2025. When that happens, combat operations could significantly de-escalate, potentially leading to a ceasefire. While negotiations are ongoing, a semi-frozen conflict may emerge. This is not an ideal outcome, but it is far better than the current state of affairs,” the article concludes.

Today, Reuters reported that Vladimir Putin is open to discussing peace in Ukraine with future President Donald Trump, based on ending the war along the current front lines.

However, Ukraine itself opposes negotiations. Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the idea of sitting down at the table with Putin.