It has been more than nine years since Russia invaded Crimea, and more than a year has passed since they launched a fresh new assault on Ukraine. So far, it can be argued that the Russia-Ukraine war has dragged on for far longer than anyone could have rightfully anticipated at the start of the conflict. Before anything else, it is crucial to point out that while the situation is not ideal at this time, it is still far better than what most people initially expected—the rapid annihilation of Ukraine's sovereignty. Comparatively speaking, this is good—very good.

Unfortunately, we cannot continue to look at the situation this way. A speedy resolution to the conflict on the ground is undeniably what is best for all involved in this fiasco. The only question now is what that resolution should be, exactly. Let's take a concise and comprehensive look at the situation to gain some perspective.

The attack on Crimea in 2014 was somewhat sudden and unexpected. Many would argue that it came out of nowhere. However, it can be said that, nine years after that event, much of what transpired in that incident has left the memory of most, save for those directly impacted by the incident. However, Russia's onslaught on Ukraine in February of 2022 was a completely different affair entirely. Even before the first blow was struck, there had been months and months of foreboding beforehand. All of the rich history and culture that these two countries shared seemed to finally dissipate on Thursday, the 24th of February 2022. Why did Russian President Vladimir Putin initiate this blatant act of aggression?

Officially, President Vladimir Putin claims that it was "...to conduct a special military operation...to protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years." This is a baseless claim that anyone with even a remote understanding of the situation would know is completely false. Of course, even then, he was quick to emphasize that he had no intention of occupying Ukraine, adding in the same message that "We are not going to impose anything on anyone by force." How much of that statement was true is clearly evident for the entire world to see. In reality, there is evidence to suggest that the real reason the Kremlin launched that attack was fear of the implications of Ukraine allying with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). However, it must be pointed out that, up until the point that Russia initiated its attack, nothing had happened at all to justify those concerns.

So far, the war has raged on quite brutally, and there have been casualties on both sides. However, surprisingly, if recent reports are to be believed, Russia's losses have been significantly higher than Ukraine's. The underdogs have proven to be no roadside kill to be manhandled at will. This is only fair, in truth, because Ukraine is fighting a war of right and self-defense. They are morally and ethically correct to defend every inch of their territory and sovereignty.

But even with this, it bears pointing out that the longer this war drags on, the more likely the tide is to swing against Ukraine. This means that, whether they like it or not, the country under siege is on a deadline. This, in turn, presents another important question: How much of the country's territory is worth the blood that has been shed so far and what will surely be shed if this war drags on?

It may be a hard pill to swallow, but perhaps it's time to face the possibility that territorial concessions might be the only real way that Ukraine can walk away from this conflict with minimal damage. To be clear, victory is worth the cost of life to the people of Ukraine at the moment. The vast majority of Ukrainians interviewed in a poll recently affirmed that they would rather suffer through the ravages of the war than give up sovereignty and/or territory.

However, this is not to say that they should surrender without conditions. Ukraine should try to negotiate a deal that ensures they retain control over the territories they do not concede. They should also seek guarantees that their citizens living in those territories are protected and that their rights are respected.

The international community should also step up and play a more active role in helping Ukraine find a resolution to this conflict. It is not enough to merely condemn Russia’s actions or provide military aid. Diplomatic efforts need to be made to bring both sides to the table and facilitate a peaceful settlement.

In conclusion, the war between Russia and Ukraine has gone on for far too long, and it is time for a resolution to be reached. Ukraine should consider making territorial concessions if it means the conflict can be ended quickly and with minimal damage. However, they should negotiate a deal that ensures their citizens' rights are protected and they retain control over the territories they do not concede. The international community should also play a more active role in facilitating a peaceful settlement.