As the Ukraine war marks its fourth anniversary, the conflict has significantly disrupted the post-war international order led by the United States, while reviving the North-Russian alliance that has left profound strategic impacts on countries like South Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a recent interview that Putin has essentially initiated a third world war, which must be curbed immediately. In response, Putin, during a speech commemorating Defense of the Fatherland Day, emphasized strengthening Russia's nuclear capabilities without directly addressing the ongoing conflict.

The article also highlights the shift in the war’s momentum starting with the involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressured Ukraine into untenable concessions. Despite a recent trilateral dialogue involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, key disparities remain unresolved, with Trump intensifying demands for a peace agreement by June ahead of the midterm elections, raising concerns about Ukraine’s position as a small country caught between major powers.

The most significant issue is Putin's inflexible stance, exemplified by his so-called 28-point peace proposal from last October, which would require Ukraine to relinquish Crimea and Donbas entirely, accept military realities in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and permanently forgo NATO membership through constitutional changes. Meanwhile, promises of security guarantees for Ukraine are vague at best, heightening fears of future aggression. For Zelenskyy, accepting such terms would equate to treason, thereby exacerbating the already complex dynamics of the conflict.