What does Russian President Vladimir Putin want?
It remains very vague. Initially, this war was supposed to be a short, easy victory: they wanted to take kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in three days, then bring down the government and the army. But it didn’t work. Now, Russia appears to have returned to its goals that led to the war, that is, it wants to invade and control the entire territory of Donbass.
What do the Russians think of this war?
What the Russians want and what Vladimir Putin wants are not the same thing. When Russians are asked in a survey what emotion the war in Ukraine gives rise to in them, their first responses are anxiety, then fear. Pride comes a long way behind.
And what does Ukraine want?
Ukraine is trying to recover all its territory. But this is becoming more and more difficult as international aid diminishes and seems less and less assured.
Can we hope for an end to the fighting this year?
It would be truly astonishing to achieve a peace treaty. But a ceasefire does not seem completely impossible to me. I believe that if Russia succeeds in taking all of Donbass, it might be ready to agree to a ceasefire. But the Ukrainian government wants to win back everything. Nothing less.
Could Ukraine give up?
There needs to be a change in Ukrainian public opinion. Not so long ago, Ukrainians still said they would never compromise. But it is becoming obvious that it will be impossible to reconquer the lost territories. There may be a move later this year towards something like a ceasefire.
Caroline Bouffard, journalist, The Aces of Info