The Russo-Ukrainian war has been ongoing for the past decade; however, the conflict and tension date back to the 1990s. Needless to say, the impact on civilians, the economy, and overall peace, not just in the two countries, but worldwide, has been tragic. Constant casualties and damage remain severe, for example, the Russian strikes that target residential neighborhoods and infrastructure. With these tragedies comes attention from foreign areas, either through aid or an attempt to negotiate potential proposals that may put an end to the war.
The United States has been discussing Russian demands for a few months, and recently, a peace plan was proposed. Ukraine quickly recognized the flaws, as it heavily favored Russia, especially in territorial matters. Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with European and U.S. officials to develop a revised, streamlined version of the plan. The original 28-point draft was shortened to just 19 points after their gathering in Geneva. The controversy over military and territory has been pacified thanks to diplomatic efforts, although additional sensitive issues remain prominent.
Hingham High School, despite being overseas and relatively unimpacted by the war, has students who are aware and skeptical about the peace proposal. When asked about the subject, sophomore Graham Frank replied, “I have heard various opinions, updates, and general information about the war in Russia and Ukraine, some reports saying it will not end anytime soon, and others suggesting the opposite. I think the peace plan has the potential to mark the end of such a terrible war, and I am interested in hearing further updates. On the other hand, I am not positive it will, because the leaders of both countries seem to disagree over just about everything.”
Notably, Ukraine has been dependent on external financial support, while Russia can sustain the operations and humanitarian aspects independently. This is significant because the United States recently threatened to withdraw its support if it could not accept the plan. This puts the country under serious pressure as infrastructure damage worsens and the harsh winter continues. Shelter is a priority for civilians at the moment due to the adverse weather conditions. Resources from other countries have prevented a Russian victory, and potential stalemates may occur.
Russia is far more powerful than Ukraine, as its substantial military size and resources outnumber those of Ukraine. Surprisingly enough, Ukraine has persisted and effectively fought through morale, motivation, and intelligence. Though without support from other nations, Ukraine will face seemingly insurmountable challenges. Sophomore Aidan Holmes states, “It shocks me that Ukraine has lasted so long against such a powerful force, and it makes me wonder why they continue to fight instead of surrendering. I hear almost every week of a new horrible event that took place in Ukraine, so I hope the peace proposal is not rejected. From my standpoint, I think that each country needs to withdraw its troops and pay reparations.”
It is difficult to say for certain that the end is near, but the peace talks cannot be denied or ignored. The front lines remain active and deadly, and countless lives are lost every day. A true settlement will be difficult to achieve. Still, with the help of Western alliances, such as NATO and specifically, the United States, the progress toward world peace is moving closer.
