Its Confusion
Its Confusion: In a small Russian town called Yelets, 350 kilometers south of Moscow, Irina struggles to survive. She works as a bus ticket collector and earns very little. High utility bills and rising food prices make life harder. A mural nearby shows five local men killed in Ukraine. She knew some of them. A relative and a friend’s husband died in the war. Despite her financial problems, she sends supplies to Russian soldiers at the front. Still, she feels unsure. She says that in World War II, people knew they fought Nazi Germany. Now, she does not know what Russia fights for.
Ukraine War
In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The country faced a direct and deadly threat. The war lasted four years. In 1945, Soviet forces captured Berlin. People fought to survive. In 2022, President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Russia was not under attack. NATO had moved closer to Russia’s borders, but Ukraine was not about to join it. Putin said Ukraine had Nazis in power. He also claimed Russians and Ukrainians are one people. Ukraine does have some far-right groups. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky leads an elected government, not a Nazi regime.
Forced Unity
Many people reject the idea that one country can unite others by force just because they share language or culture. When leaders formed the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin gave Ukraine and Belarus the right to leave. That choice helped Ukraine gain independence in 1991. Putin has criticized Lenin for that decision. He seems to favor the old Russian empire model, where Moscow controlled these regions directly.
Heavy Losses
At the start of the invasion, many expected Russia to take Kyiv quickly. Some Ukrainian leaders doubted Russia would launch a full invasion. Ukrainian forces fought back and defended their capital. The war has destroyed cities and taken many lives. Both sides have suffered heavy losses.
Territory for Peace
President Joe Biden and the United States sent military aid to Ukraine. They did not push hard for peace talks at first. Donald Trump later said he would end the war quickly. He started negotiations and appeared more open to Russia’s demands. Ukraine has considered giving up some territory to gain peace. Harsh winters and attacks on energy systems have made life very hard. Still, Ukraine wants strong and long-term security guarantees from Western countries. Russia wants more control, even over areas it does not fully hold.
Uncertain Talks
No one knows how talks in places like Abu Dhabi or Geneva will end. The United States may also shift focus to other global conflicts. Zelensky has said the war feels like World War III. That claim may go too far. However, many European countries now strengthen their militaries because they fear Putin’s future plans.
This war has reshaped Europe and shaken the world. No one can predict its end. It has increased fear, tension, and uncertainty across the globe.
Published in Dawn, 25th February 2026
More informative