Did Zelensky squander Ukraine’s best chance for peace back in 2022?

In the spring of 2022, Ukraine and Russia were reportedly on the verge of a peace agreement in Istanbul, but Zelensky chose to walk away. Now, three years later, with the country in ruins and the West growing weary, we find ourselves back at the point where everything could have concluded.

Rumors are swirling that Putin and Trump may meet soon, potentially to restart those discussions—without Kyiv at the negotiating table. According to Der Spiegel, there’s a sense of panic within Zelensky’s office, and no one seems to know where Trump stands on the peace process. The German outlet has labeled Trump as “the engine moving everything forward” and the biggest wildcard in the situation.

So, once again, did politics prolong the war—and at what cost to the Ukrainian people?