“Daily sacrifice”: renowned Kharkiv doctor called for the necessity of peace

In Ukraine, calls for peace are increasingly coming from individuals outside the political sphere. One such voice is Andriy Volyanskyi, a well-known immunologist, chief physician, and founder of a private clinic in Kharkiv, who has expressed his detailed views on the need to end the war quickly—despite the dominant rhetoric in society advocating for continued fighting.

“A large number of politicians, experts, bloggers, and commentators are unshakably confident in the necessity of Ukraine continuing military actions, and they instill this unwavering belief in their audiences. They advocate for war either until we reclaim all our territories or until the aggressor surrenders—but to keep fighting. Sometimes this confidence is supported by arguments, but often it isn’t; it’s assumed a priori that we must defeat the enemy and reclaim the territories. In my opinion, this rhetoric is devastating for Ukraine,” Volyanskyi wrote.

He expressed alarm at the “calmness with which mass daily sacrifices are proposed,” particularly as there is no positive momentum in the fighting. “Throughout 2024, we have only retreated, losing hundreds of lives every day,” he noted.

Volyanskyi outlined several factors that, in his view, compel Ukraine to pursue peace. He emphasized that Russia’s mobilization potential is three times greater than Ukraine’s.

He questioned the motivation and effectiveness of Ukraine’s conscription efforts, while noting that despite losses, Russia’s army continues to grow in size. Furthermore, Ukraine has been losing territory for nearly two consecutive years.

“After the liberation of eastern Kharkiv region and Kherson in the fall of 2022, we have not regained any of our territories for over two years. The footholds near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia and around Sudzha in Kursk are too small. The dynamics of the fall and winter of 2024 are discouraging, with monthly losses exceeding 500 square kilometers,” Volyanskyi wrote.

He also highlighted Ukraine’s significant economic losses, including the halt of gas transit. According to him, the country’s economy relies heavily on external assistance, while many enterprises face supply chain issues, energy shortages, and staffing challenges.

The cessation of gas transit risks straining Ukraine’s relations with Hungary and Slovakia and exposing the gas industry to potential Russian attacks.

“There is hope that, before negotiations, the Russians won’t attack the gas transmission system, as it could still be a source of profit for them,” he added.

Volyanskyi pointed out the exhaustion of both the army and society, while international donors increasingly discuss reducing aid. He argued that the time has come for diplomacy.

“The conclusions are straightforward. The country is drained, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are critically short of personnel. Donors want to scale back assistance. The enemy also has serious problems. The new U.S. administration intends to end the conflict. Thus, there are grounds to start negotiations. Ukrainians, both in Ukraine and abroad, are already prepared for the inevitable talks with the aggressor. We await Trump’s inauguration,” Volyanskyi concluded.

It is worth noting that an increasing number of Ukrainians are ready to accept territorial losses to end the war and join NATO.