Ukraine’s tactics undermining hopes for peace?
Three years into the Russia-Ukraine war, the bloodshed, destruction, displacement and social collapse - felt most painfully in Ukraine; show no signs of slowing.
The idea of brokering peace has become increasingly elusive as both sides show no readiness to accept peace terms.
Yet the growing sentiment among many international observers is that the stalemate persists not only because of Russia’s hard positions, but also because Ukraine has adopted an uncompromising approach that is narrowing any window for dialogue.
Although Russia, the stronger military power, has openly stated what it considers necessary for ending the conflict, Ukraine appears to be fighting with a die-hard posture, often shifting the goal posts when diplomatic openings emerge.
Every failed negotiation attempt has tended to trigger harsher retaliation from Moscow, deepening the devastation within Ukraine’s own borders.
As things stand, Ukraine keeps losing territory to superior Russian manpower and ammunition.
Frustration
The international community’s frustration is therefore not without cause.
Efforts toward de-escalation are now overshadowed by Ukraine’s growing use of unconventional tactics — tactics that many observers have gone so far as to describe as terrorist acts.
Russia, with its dominant military strength, is unlikely to sit idle while Ukraine conducts operations around civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
There is increasing discomfort globally over Ukraine’s willingness to push for uncontrolled escalation through high-risk provocations. For the first time since the war began, there seems to be a quiet consensus on the unacceptability of Kyiv’s suspected involvement in acts of mass sabotage targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure inside Russia.
While Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of attacking civilian installations, the record now also shows Ukraine engaging in similar activities — including strikes on Russian energy facilities and attacks on cargo ships using underwater drones.
One recent underwater drone strike on an oil cargo vessel drew open condemnation, even from some of Ukraine’s supporters, who criticised the approach as incompatible with the norms of conventional warfare.
Alleged attacks
Of particular concern are the alleged attacks on nuclear-related facilities and strategic airfields hosting bombers capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Some security analysts argue that Ukraine’s intention may be to push Russia into a nuclear confrontation, one that could inevitably drag the entire world into catastrophe.
Such a scenario threatens the security of Europe and the global system as a whole.
This is no longer a fringe opinion. Harsh criticism from influential international figures is mounting.
Some have warned that Kyiv’s provocations risk igniting a world war. U.S. President Donald Trump labelled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “a bad guy pushing the world toward nuclear war,” while Alabama Senator Thomas Tuberville accused Zelenskyy of trying to “drag NATO into a war with Russia.”
Similar sentiments are echoed across parts of Europe, with several leaders urging Ukraine to exercise restraint near Russian nuclear energy infrastructure.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has gone further, accusing Ukraine of using “terrorist methods” for political and military gain and cast doubt on its credibility as a responsible international actor.
For many analysts, Kyiv’s provocations have stripped Ukraine of the moral high ground it once held.
What then is the paradox?
Ukraine continues to blame Russia for civilian casualties and destruction, yet Ukraine itself has increasingly adopted strategies that inflict similar suffering using drone warfare and targeted strikes.
Ukraine ought to re-evaluates its military strategy and demonstrates genuine commitment to peace discussions other than that, it will only set itself up for greater destruction from the Russians.
