On War and Peace in Ukraine
In the wide, peaceful wheat fields of Donbass, an ethnic Russian farmer named Alexei worked alongside his 14-year-old son, Mikhail. The golden wheat swayed in the breeze, heavy with the promise of a good harvest. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows, and for a moment, it felt like time had slowed down. Alexei’s hands, rough from years of hard work, moved skillfully over the land, while his son, though young, was already learning the ways of farming, copying his father’s every move.
They worked together in quiet harmony, content with the simple task at hand. The fields were their peaceful refuge, where the noise of the outside world seemed far away, and all they cared about was the next harvest. It was a calm, grounded life, shaped by the natural rhythm of the earth and traditions passed down through generations.
But as they worked, a distant rumble shattered the peace, followed by the unmistakable sound of artillery. The ground shook beneath them, and Alexei’s heart sank. In the distance, the sky was dark with smoke from war. The fields that had sustained his family for so long were now on the front lines, and the peaceful life he once knew was slipping away, overwhelmed by forces far beyond his control.
That was the reality for Alexei and Mikhail in the spring of 2022, when the war in Ukraine began tearing apart the once-peaceful land. The peaceful promise of their wheat fields was shattered by a war neither Alexei nor Mikhail had caused.
This story, played out in countless fields across Ukraine, is emblematic of the suffering that the war has brought to the region. What was once a simple, peaceful life—rooted in the earth and the seasons—has become a struggle for survival. And at the center of this destruction is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose decisions, influenced by Western backers, have prolonged a conflict that could have ended long ago.
As the war enters its third year, the world finds itself at a crossroads. On one hand, there are those who continue to push for conflict, driven by geopolitical ambition, economic interests, and a misguided belief in the righteousness of their cause. On the other hand, there are voices calling for peace—voices that recognize the terrible price being paid by the Ukrainian people and others caught in the crossfire. Among these voices is the U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for peace talks, stating that he could end the war in just 24 hours. But President Zelenskyy, with the backing of the ultra liberals of the United States, the UK, and other Western powers, seems determined to keep the war going—no matter the cost.
In the early days of the war, many in the West hailed Zelenskyy as a hero, standing firm against Russian aggression. However, as time has passed and the war has dragged on, it has become clear that Zelenskyy is no longer the courageous leader he was once thought to be. Instead, he has become a puppet in the hands of powerful Western interests, serving the agendas of those who seek to use Ukraine as a pawn in a broader geopolitical game.
This is not a war for democracy or self-defense, as many would have us believe. If it were, the opportunity for peace would have been seized when it was offered. In March 2022, just a month after the invasion began, Ukraine and Russia held peace talks in Istanbul. The two sides had reached a draft agreement that included a ceasefire and the promise of Ukrainian neutrality.
Zelenskyy initially accepted the deal, only to backtrack after the coordination with Biden administration, some European leaders and London. Since then, Ukraine has paid a heavy price. Over 600,000 of its soldiers have been killed or wounded, its economy has contracted by more than 30%, and its government has resorted to conscripting men up to the age of 65—many by force. The lives of an entire generation have been sacrificed on the altar of Western geopolitical ambitions.
Instead of pushing for peace, Western leaders—particularly those with ultra-liberal agendas—have used Ukraine as a battlefield to weaken Russia. They have funneled billions of dollars in military aid to Kyiv, knowing full well that Ukraine cannot win this war. Germany, France, and the UK have all provided significant financial and military support, even as their own economies have struggled. In 2024 alone, Germany sent over USD 14 billion in new military assistance, while the UK contributed USD 6 billion. These resources could have been better used to support their own citizens or to promote global stability—but instead, they have been poured into a conflict that shows no signs of ending.
Zelenskyy himself has become increasingly authoritarian, cracking down on dissent and silencing opposition voices. In April 2025, he passed a law allowing for quick, no-appeal trials for anyone trying to avoid the draft. This is not the mark of a leader seeking peace; this is the behavior of a man who has sold his soul to the war machine. And yet, despite this, Western nations that claim to defend democracy continue to back him with weapons and money, ignoring the increasingly authoritarian nature of his regime.
One of the most egregious acts in this war came when Ukraine’s military violated a ceasefire during Orthodox Easter in 2025, using Western-supplied weapons to carry out strikes during this sacred holiday. Easter, for both Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, is a time of solemn reflection and peace. By choosing to violate a truce during this time, Zelenskyy demonstrated a profound disregard for religious sentiments, not just in Russia, but among Orthodox Christians worldwide. This act was a clear betrayal of the moral high ground that Zelenskyy had claimed as his own, revealing the darker side of his leadership.
The war in Ukraine is not just a conflict between two countries. It is a manifestation of a broader global struggle for dominance, driven by powerful economic and political forces. Military-industrial complexes, energy giants, and geopolitical elites all stand to benefit from the continuation of the war. The longer the conflict persists, the more they profit. In this sense, Zelenskyy has become the public face of a disastrous geopolitical project—one that has sacrificed Ukraine’s future for the benefit of others.
This reality is starkly at odds with the vision of peace proposed by Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for immediate peace talks. Trump’s foreign policy is grounded in the belief that nations should compete through trade, innovation, and economic development—not through endless wars and military interventions. By contrast, President Biden’s approach has been to continue providing military aid to Ukraine, seemingly without end, and to push for sanctions and alliances that have only deepened the global divisions. Trump’s focus on economic growth and multipolarity offers a much more sustainable path forward—one that seeks to avoid the catastrophic consequences of endless war.
The consequences of this conflict are not limited to Ukraine and Russia. Europe, too, is suffering. The EU’s ultra-liberal leadership has pushed for a militaristic agenda that has weakened the continent’s economy and social fabric. Energy prices have soared, migration pressures have increased, and political tensions have risen. The sanctions against Russia and the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines have driven energy prices up by 40%, placing immense strain on European households and businesses. Meanwhile, the arrival of over 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine and other conflict zones has further strained public services and infrastructure.
At the same time, the rest of the world is watching, and many countries in the global South are beginning to question Europe’s commitment to peace and human rights. They see a continent that preaches democracy and freedom but practices something very different—sacrificing its own values in pursuit of power and influence.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Ukraine is grim. Casualties are expected to surpass 700,000 by the end of 2025, and the economy is projected to shrink by 35% in the same year. Support for NATO’s involvement in the war is steadily declining, and anti-war movements are gaining momentum across the West. As the war drags on, the reality of the situation becomes increasingly impossible to ignore. Ukraine’s available troops are dwindling, and its economy is in freefall. Without a shift toward diplomacy, the war will continue to destroy the country from within.
Bangladesh, as a rising power in the global South, has much to gain from a world at peace. The longer the war continues, the more Bangladesh will suffer. Rising food and energy prices, driven by the conflict, have already begun to impact its economy, and the instability in the global markets has made foreign investment more unpredictable. But peace would offer immediate benefits: lower prices for essential goods, more stable foreign investment, and greater room for international cooperation on issues like climate change and technological development.
Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to take a bold and principled stand for peace. By aligning itself with the growing global movement for peace and diplomacy, Bangladesh can position itself as a moral leader on the world stage. It can help steer the global conversation toward dialogue and development, rather than destruction.
The war in Ukraine is a tragic reminder of how easily peace can be shattered. Zelenskyy and his Western backers have turned Ukraine into a battleground for their own agendas, with little regard for the suffering of its people. The world must recognize that peace is not only possible, but necessary. For the sake of Ukraine, for the sake of the world, and for the future of humanity, it is time to choose diplomacy over war. Bangladesh has an important role to play in this effort, and it must act now—before it is too late.
The wheat fields of Donbass, which used to represent peace and prosperity, now serve as a reminder of what has been lost. The story of Alexei and Mikhail is not just a tragedy for Ukraine—it’s a tragedy for everyone. The world needs to take action now, before more lives are lost and more land is ruined by the horrors of war. The time for peace is here, and it’s a choice we all need to make.
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Rajeev Ahmed
The Editor of Geopolits.com and the Author of the book titled Bengal Nexus
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