Ukraine War Nears Its End? – OpEd

Throughout history, the outcome of many wars has been decided not by the battles fought on the front lines but by the withdrawal of financial support. Consider the Vietnam War: when the U.S. cut off its funding, the conflict ended within two days. Today, a similar process may be beginning for Ukraine.

The world has shifted dramatically. This is no longer 1945, 1975, or even the early 2000s. Old narratives have been replaced by new realities. The United States is now prioritizing the protection of its own interests, and its economic and strategic reasons for continuing to support Ukraine are dwindling. Meanwhile, Europe remains in a state of complacency, failing to fully comprehend the implications of this war.

At the outset, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the focal point of global attention. His frequent media appearances and appeals to the world’s sympathy played a pivotal role in securing financial and military aid. However, after three years, the strategy of raising funds through t-shirt sales and emotional speeches has lost its effectiveness. The harsh reality is that Ukraine’s educated and affluent elite have long since fled the war-torn country, building new lives in places like Antalya and Miami. Those who remain are the ones bearing the true cost of the conflict—ordinary soldiers and civilians on the front lines.

At this stage, Ukraine’s strategic value to the United States is fading. This war has served as a testing ground to assess Russia’s military strengths and weaknesses. Washington has concluded that Moscow no longer poses a direct threat to its interests. As a result, Ukraine has transitioned from being a strategic asset to a financial burden. The responsibility for managing this crisis is now shifting to Europe.

The Ukraine War is effectively drawing to a close. The formal agreements to end the conflict may come tomorrow, next week, or in the near future. But one way or another, this war is reaching its conclusion.