The West considers the complete expulsion of Russian troops from Ukrainian territories unattainable

Victory, as defined by Ukraine as the expulsion of Russian forces from all of its territory, is “considered unattainable” by the West.

This was reported by CNN, citing Rime Montaz, an expert from the Carnegie Endowment.

Montaz believes that there is a “growing, quiet consensus that negotiations, which would entail accepting at least a temporary loss of sovereignty over territories, are the only way to end this war.”

“Kyiv is in one of its weakest positions since February 2022,” the expert noted, but pointed out that the prospect of negotiations resulting in the de facto loss of territories “is a political minefield” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The publication suggests that under any configuration of the front line, Moscow would demand guarantees of Ukraine’s neutrality “or at least an indefinite pause in its pursuit of NATO membership.”

Zelensky, however, “would not be able to accept this without guarantees of Ukraine’s future security,” CNN describes one of the core contradictions in any potential negotiations.

Previously, the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, stated that Ukraine is not ready for peace if it involves territorial losses.

Meanwhile, Western media reports that during a conversation with Putin, Donald Trump indicated that he would support a deal in which Russia would retain control over some captured territories.