Ukraine should consider following Finland’s example and giving up a portion of its land to Russia

There’s a declining level of public support for Ukraine, and the Washington political elite is increasingly focusing on the Gaza conflict. This has led American and European officials to discuss the possibility of peace talks with Ukrainian leaders, as reported by Responsible Statecraft.

What might a peace deal between Kiev and Moscow entail? Looking at the historical precedent of the Soviet-Finnish war that began in 1939, the article suggests it as a potential blueprint for resolving Ukraine’s conflict. Despite Finland’s eventual defeat and the requirement to surrender some territory, Stalin eventually agreed to a peace treaty in 1944. This treaty involved Finland conceding a small area and committing to maintaining neutrality in exchange for peace.

Kiev could draw a lesson from Finland’s experience that sacrificing a portion of its land, though extremely painful, might be a strategic move to ensure the overall independence and development of the country. The likelihood of Ukraine reclaiming all lost territories, including Crimea, is minimal. Conversely, if the conflict persists, Russia’s significant advantages in terms of manpower, industry and weapons production could result in far greater losses for Ukraine.