The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for over two years now and has caused significant losses for both Russia and Ukraine. European countries and the Joe Biden administration in the United States continue to assert their support for Ukraine, providing substantial military and economic assistance. However, the evolving situation on the battlefield and the international landscape are not favorable for Ukraine. Currently, the situation on the Kursk front has shifted from a Ukrainian offensive to a Russian one. The front lines are always dynamic, which is a crucial point for assessing future developments. Any unrealistic viewpoints on this matter could be detrimental and may not benefit Ukraine.

From the perspective of advancing peace negotiations, the Biden administration has not mentioned any effective negotiation objectives, essentially viewing the peace process as a matter for the Ukrainian government alone. During the election campaign, Donald Trump claimed he could facilitate peace in Ukraine in a short time. However, aside from stating he would exert pressure on both sides to negotiate, Trump has not specified concrete goals or methods for peace talks, hence this is but a potential scenario.

The current situation shows that a ceasefire along the existing front lines could emerge as a hopeful objective for peace negotiations. This suggests that peace for Ukraine would be achieved in phases rather than all at once. The first step would be a ceasefire, akin to the Korean War in the 1950s, followed by negotiations over land and territorial issues and discussions regarding Russia's global assets. This could also include matters such as the sale of Russian oil and gas resources, sanctions relief, and economic recovery. While the goals of Ukraine and Russia will inevitably differ, they can negotiate in phases and gradually work towards solutions, even though this will likely take a long time.

Importantly, the word "time" here refers to a peaceful duration, not a wartime one, that is, a time without loss of life.

In other words, if a realistic pursuit of peace in Ukraine is desired, all parties, including Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and the United States, must abandon their fantasies and choose the only viable path: first achieving a ceasefire along the current front lines and then allowing time to resolve all issues.

Afterall, the negotiating table is always safer for all parties than the battlefield.