Link to article: https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/20/europe/kyiv-under-pressure-as-trump-and-putin-cozy-up-analysis
Pressure increases on Ukraine as President Donald Trump continues pursuing closer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Trump claims to be working towards peace, Russia continues demanding that Ukraine surrender the Donbas region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refuses because the territory contains an important defensive line protecting the rest of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Trump has introduced several policies that have complicated Ukraine’s defense, including restrictions on Starlink technology, limitations on intelligence sharing, and reduced American financial support. European countries have consequently taken on greater responsibility for supporting Ukraine. American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been involved in negotiations with both sides. Despite the Diplomatic efforts, Ukraine and Russia remain divided over what peace should l look like, especially as Russia’s goal remains as victory.
The situation demonstrates how difficult peace negotiations become when countries have completely different goals. Ukraine wants to maintain its independence and protect its territory, while Russia continues pushing in the war for more territory from Ukraine, and as the article notes, their idea of peace is essentially victory. The Donbas region specifically contains much strategic value, and should President Zelensky surrender Donbas it could leave Ukraine more vulnerable. Trump’s changing policies demonstrate how decisions by powerful countries influence smaller ones, which importantly ties back to what we discussed last class with realist theory, as less powerful nations will align with stronger ones. Because of the situation, Ukraine could become less dependent on the United States and strengthen relations with Europe further to maintain sovereignty. Ukraine could respond by continuing negotiations, with all parties involved to push their interests, and strengthening defenses. Notably, Ukraine will most likely continue to maintain control over the Donbas region. The United States is unpredictable in this situation, as they could continue to voice support for Ukraine while cutting harder forms of support, and/or work harder for peace with Russia. Russia will definitely continue the war and their fight for the Donbas region, potentially working with the United States on peace.
The current situation reflects many of our course concepts, such as sovereignty and power. Ukraine’s refusal to surrender the Donbas region demonstrates their desire for territorial sovereignty, especially as the loss of the region would prove to result in more loss of sovereignty. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine demonstrates their use of hard power as we learned in class to achieve their objectives and interests, even as negotiations with the United States continue. Overall, this event highlights how the desire of a country for territorial sovereignty and interdependence when mixed with a country wishing to use hard power results in a complex conflict with gridlock in peace negotiations.