As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its third year, hopes for a peaceful resolution are finally starting to emerge. In early February, US President Trump shocked the world by revealing that he had spoken with Russian President Putin about ending the war through negotiations.
Despite Russia's vague response, many believe that this could be a sign of progress towards a ceasefire. Trump has repeatedly emphasized his desire to resolve the conflict within 24 hours, but the specifics of how he plans to do so have remained unclear.
Last week, Trump publicly revealed that the US had reached a preliminary agreement with Kiev to swap rare earth minerals for military aid. Ukraine would need to provide $50 billion worth of mineral resources as collateral.
The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Trump of using Ukraine's natural resources as leverage to pressure the country into accepting a ceasefire. Others see it as a clever ploy by Trump to secure a deal that benefits both the US and Russia.
For Russia, a ceasefire would mean that Ukrainian forces are no longer able to resist and launch counterattacks, allowing Moscow to solidify its control over the Donbass region and other resource-rich areas. For Trump, a deal would mean that he can deliver on his campaign promises while also securing US interests.
The conflict has been ongoing for three years, with Ukraine's military efforts failing to retake territory lost to Russia. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have launched a counterattack in the Kursk region, but it has stalled due to equipment shortages.
Meanwhile, $17 billion in US aid promised to Ukraine has largely gone unspent, with only 30% of funds actually being used for military purposes and the rest flowing into American arms dealers' pockets. The