More than four years after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the war continues with no peace agreement between world leaders, disagreements over territory, security and international alliances have made the ending conflict difficult.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine goes back decades. Ukraine was once part of the Soviet Union; it collapsed in 1991. After gaining independence, Ukraine began developing closer relationships with Western countries, which caused tensions with Russia. One of the biggest disagreements has been Ukraine’s relationship with NATO, a group of countries that agree to protect one another if attacked. Russia sees Ukraine joining NATO as a threat, while Ukraine believes it should be able to makes its own decisions.
Aside from the disagreements between the two countries, the war has affected millions of people. Many Ukrainian families have been forced to leave their homes, while others still live in places where the attacks are still happening. Homes, buildings, and electricity have been damaged which makes everyday life difficult for people living through the war.
”I think one of the worst parts of the war is how much it affects innocent people who have nothing to do with the conflict. Families are losing their homes and having their lives changed over something they can’t control,” said senior Zoe Pazos.
As war continues, world leaders have been trying to find ways to reach a peace agreement. The United States has been involved in discussions between Russia and Ukraine, but disagreements over land and security have made it hard to reach a deal. One of the biggest problems is trying to decide who should control the parts of Ukraine now occupied by Russia. Ukraine wants to protect its independence and regain control of its land, while Russia has continued to make demands over territory and Ukraine’s future security. These disagreements have made it hard for both sides to agree on something that would bring the fighting to an end.
“I hope they eventually find a way to end the war because it’s already been going on for years. Even if they don’t agree on everything, I think finding a peaceful solution should be the main goal,” said junior Antonio Tejada.
As February 2027 approaches, the war is going into its fifth year with no clear answer as to when it will end. While leaders continue discussing possible solutions, Ukrainian families are still dealing with the effects of the war. For now, the possibility of a lasting peace agreement is still uncertain.
