As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its third year, ancient wisdom from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War feels painfully relevant: “No nation benefits from prolonged warfare.” But with global powers maneuvering behind the scenes, could peace finally be on the horizon?
The Trump Factor
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited diplomatic channels with Russia, holding a landmark call with Vladimir Putin on February 12 – coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Minsk II ceasefire agreement. This paved the way for a high-stakes meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh last week.
Zelensky in the Crosshairs
The Trump administration has ramped up criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator” amid disputes over access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Kyiv seeks U.S. security guarantees in exchange for these critical resources, while Washington reportedly wants Europe to take more responsibility.
Geopolitical Chessboard
Analysts warn of a potential U.S. strategy to drive a wedge between Russia and China through concessions in Ukraine. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko recently cautioned Moscow: “The Russians must not allow [being pitted against Beijing].” As Trump aims to freeze the conflict to focus on other hotspots, the world watches whether ancient wisdom will prevail over modern realpolitik.
