The Kursk operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine may become the key to upcoming peace negotiations, establishing a "third way" for conflict resolution.
The American magazine Foreign Policy noted that there is a growing consensus in the West that sooner or later, Ukraine and Russia will have to sit down at the negotiating table. However, it is important to note that Ukraine's capitulation is off the table, and a complete victory for Russia seems unlikely. This implies that both sides will need to make concessions to achieve peace.
From analysts' perspectives, the operation in the Kursk region has enabled Ukraine to solidify its presence on Russian territory. This, in turn, could serve as leverage in the upcoming negotiations, as by capturing a portion of Russian land, Ukraine may assert claims for the return of its occupied territories in Kherson, Zaporizhia, and even Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
The publication emphasizes that, despite the lack of recent elections, Ukraine remains a democratic country. However, recent sociological studies indicate that the number of Ukrainians willing to consider territorial concessions to end the war is on the rise. Nonetheless, such opinions are still in the minority, and the specifics of potential concessions remain quite vague. After two and a half years of war, Ukrainians are not interested in capitulation.
Ending the war through peace negotiations based on mutual land exchanges appears to be a more realistic option, as both capitulation and a complete military victory are not viable alternatives.
Source: foreignpolicy.