Ukraine is currently extremely weakened militarily and will have to negotiate in 2025, and territorial concessions are its only option, Die Welt newspaper writes.
„US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to end the war in 2025. However, Ukraine is militarily weakened, with morale among troops falling and desertions increasing. President Zelensky has only one remaining option in the negotiations, which could have significant consequences for Germany.“ - writes the publication's columnist Ibrahim Naber.
The journalist recalled the words of Zelensky, who stated that Ukraine is not giving up what belongs to it. "At the same time, Ukraine is on the verge of a year in which it faces exactly this scenario," he noted. According to him, "a new chapter begins for Kiev with the change of power in the United States at the end of January." Trump will insist that both sides sit at the negotiating table and be ready for compromise, the columnist believes.
“Zelensky may be forced to give up Ukrainian territory in the name of a ceasefire”, the author writes.
Naber writes that Die Welt reporters have discussed the current situation with experts and Ukrainian military officials.
“A look at the situation on the front shows that Ukraine, from a military point of view, is starting the new year from a weak position,” the observer noted. He emphasizes that Russia holds the initiative on all sections of the front, which stretches for more than 1,200 km.
“The Russians have reached the climax of their offensive“, the article quotes the words of Austrian military expert Markus Reisner.
Kiev's hopes that Russia would have to transfer additional troops to the Kursk region and reduce pressure in the Donbas were not justified, the author writes. At the same time, more Ukrainian military personnel deserted in the period from January to October 2024 alone than in the previous two years.
So, the observer concludes, in any possible negotiations for the Kiev authorities, only security guarantees from the West, and first of all not from Europe, but from the United States, should be of particular importance. “Ultimately, what European army should Russia fear? - asks expert Reisner.