Dark Shadow of Fate Over Kyiv | Has the “Final Settlement” Phase in the Ukraine War Arrived?

Saturday, July 19, 2025  Read time1 min

SaedNews: More than two years after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, signs of a new phase have emerged. Russia Today reports that Kyiv stands on the brink of a decisive stage—what some observers call the “final settlement” between Russia and Ukraine.

Dark Shadow of Fate Over Kyiv | Has the “Final Settlement” Phase in the Ukraine War Arrived?

According to SaedNews’s political desk, citing Russia Today, recent frontline developments in eastern Ukraine—particularly around Kharkiv and Donetsk—have swung markedly in Russia’s favor. The Ukrainian armed forces, plagued by weapons shortages, troop exhaustion, and delays in Western aid packages, now confront one of the conflict’s most complex and dangerous phases.

The slogan “It’s time, Ukraine,” coined by Russia Today as this conflict’s critical juncture, reflects a Russian‑led analysis: Kyiv must either move toward negotiations or accept the risk of military and political collapse. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky is racing to reinforce his army and secure additional support from the U.S. and Europe to prevent Russia from achieving a strategic victory.

Reasons This Phase Is Sensitive:

  • Eroding Western Support: Political divisions in Europe and the U.S., especially ahead of elections, have weakened some governments’ resolve to sustain long‑term aid to Ukraine.

  • Human and Logistical Strain: Ukraine faces severe manpower shortages and logistical challenges on multiple fronts.

  • Russian Offensive Operations: The Russian military has shifted tactics and increased pressure along key axes, aiming to breach Ukraine’s defensive lines.

Potential Consequences:

  • Strategic Russian Advances: Failure to hold current positions could allow Russia to capture critical areas such as Kharkiv and Odessa.

  • Domestic Political Fallout: A major defeat or forced withdrawal could erode public confidence in Zelensky’s government, opening space for internal political upheaval.

  • Western Diplomatic Pressure: In the face of serious military setbacks, Western allies may push Ukraine toward a political settlement—even at the cost of territorial concessions.

Summary:

As the war enters what many see as its decisive phase, Ukraine’s future hinges on a mix of internal resilience, battlefield tenacity, and continued Western support. Yet the rumblings of an “endgame”—whether achieved through diplomacy or renewed fighting—are louder than ever in global political discourse.