




























See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Independence
- In 1991, Ukraine voted to claim independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Over 92% of the population voted in favor.
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Belovezh Accords
- A week later, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed the Belovezh Accords, marking the end of the Soviet Union. The Accords left many loose ends, as the Soviet nations shared a great deal of culture, currencies, and weapons.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
Close ties to Russia
- Ukraine claimed its independence from Russia but maintained close ties to the nation, particularly in terms of economic interdependence and cultural influence.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Treaty on Friendship, Co-operation and Partnership
- In 1997, the nations signed the Treaty on Friendship Co-operation and Partnership, which reiterated territorial integrity.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
The 2004 Ukrainian elections
- The 2004 Ukrainian elections changed the trajectory of the nation. Ukrainian politics shifted toward a pro-European identification in contradiction to then-Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’s position.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Public movement
- Huge protests erupted and a popular movement to move the nation toward European integration occurred, leading to Yanukovych fleeing the nation.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Crimea
- Russia annexed Crimea, a strategic Ukrainian location on the Black Sea, in March 2014. This move was deemed illegal, leading to sanctions and furthering Russia’s distance from the West.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Separatist movements
- Separatist movements in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, began between Ukrainian forces and the separatists, which were supported through weaponry and intelligence by the Russian government.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Minsk Agreements
- A ceasefire was reached through the Minsk Agreements, but tensions continued to brew, culminating in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
Thousands of casualties
- The war has resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Russia has experienced diplomatic isolation and sanctions while Ukraine has furthered its relationship with the West, generating geopolitical shifts.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
United Nations
- The United Nations argues that the countries must address the root causes of the conflict, rather than just engaging in peace agreements, to ensure long-lasting peace.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Trump
- With the reelection of Trump, Ukraine has expressed anxiety about whether the US will continue to support its war efforts.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
Elise Stefanik
- Trump named Elise Stefanik as the UN ambassador. In 2022, Stefanik said she believed Russia was committing genocide in Ukraine, urging NATO to admit Ukraine as a member.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Unclear stance
- Today, Stefanik’s position is unclear. Her previous pro-Ukraine stance is no longer as absolute. Recently, her office was asked if she still supports Ukraine’s NATO membership, and they refused to comment.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
US public opinion
- Stefanik’s position aligns with US public opinion, which expresses concerns about the role of the American military and aid in a conflict without a clear end.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
Voted against aid
- In April 2024, Stefanik voted against the aid package to Ukraine, in contrast with her previous voting patterns and public positions.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
Ending the war
- During his campaign trail, Trump continuously expressed uncertainty regarding continuous aid to Ukraine, while simultaneously stating he will bring about the end of the war, without sharing his strategy as to how.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
JD Vance
- Trump’s vice president JD Vance has shared similar views, suggesting he supports an end to the war in line with Russian demands.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
"Make a deal."
- Trump recently shared in an interview with Fox News that has called on the Ukrainian president to arrive at a ceasefire or implies it will face cuts: “I would tell Zelensky, no more — you got to make a deal.”
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Peace talks
- With Ukraine losing more control over its eastern territories, it has increased its calls for guaranteed security from its allies and reiterated this point as a prerequisite for any peace talks.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Public opinion lowering
- Ukrainian troops are struggling to continue a viable war, while Russia continues to gain ground in escalating attacks. Public opinion has dropped in regard to the US continuing to pour funding into this war under these circumstances.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
Ceding territories
- The sway of public opinion is also observable in Ukraine, among its public. Approximately 32% of Ukrainians are willing to give up territories to end the war.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
Marco Rubio
- Marco Rubio, who was named Trump’s Secretary of State, would probably take on a similar stance to Stefanik; likely inhibiting the continuation of military aid.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
Peace talks
- Trump’s administration sees the end of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as boiling down to peace talks, rather than the furtherance of Ukraine’s militarization.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Against aid package
- Rubio joined Stefanik as part of a group of Republicans who voted against the US$95 billion aid package to Ukraine, with the party shifting its focus to the US-Mexico border.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
“End the war in 24 hours”
- Russian and Ukrainian representatives are vying for Trump’s support, while he reiterates his intention to “end the war in 24 hours” after he takes office.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Service people lost
- Ukraine continues to lose service people, finding the challenge to meet its military needs in terms of personnel and equipment nearly impossible. Meanwhile, Russia maintains its position to persevere with the war until a viable settlement is reached.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Forced ceasefire
- What’s clear is that the Trump administration won’t support Ukraine with unconditional funding. The nations will likely need to negotiate sooner rather than later, or Ukraine will be forced into a ceasefire due to a lack of resources. Sources: (CNN) (The New York Times) (The Financial Times) (CBS News) (The Wall Street Journal) (Politico) (Slate Magazine) See also: All the countries invaded by Russia
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Independence
- In 1991, Ukraine voted to claim independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Over 92% of the population voted in favor.
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Belovezh Accords
- A week later, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed the Belovezh Accords, marking the end of the Soviet Union. The Accords left many loose ends, as the Soviet nations shared a great deal of culture, currencies, and weapons.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
Close ties to Russia
- Ukraine claimed its independence from Russia but maintained close ties to the nation, particularly in terms of economic interdependence and cultural influence.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Treaty on Friendship, Co-operation and Partnership
- In 1997, the nations signed the Treaty on Friendship Co-operation and Partnership, which reiterated territorial integrity.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
The 2004 Ukrainian elections
- The 2004 Ukrainian elections changed the trajectory of the nation. Ukrainian politics shifted toward a pro-European identification in contradiction to then-Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’s position.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Public movement
- Huge protests erupted and a popular movement to move the nation toward European integration occurred, leading to Yanukovych fleeing the nation.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Crimea
- Russia annexed Crimea, a strategic Ukrainian location on the Black Sea, in March 2014. This move was deemed illegal, leading to sanctions and furthering Russia’s distance from the West.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Separatist movements
- Separatist movements in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, began between Ukrainian forces and the separatists, which were supported through weaponry and intelligence by the Russian government.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Minsk Agreements
- A ceasefire was reached through the Minsk Agreements, but tensions continued to brew, culminating in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
Thousands of casualties
- The war has resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Russia has experienced diplomatic isolation and sanctions while Ukraine has furthered its relationship with the West, generating geopolitical shifts.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
United Nations
- The United Nations argues that the countries must address the root causes of the conflict, rather than just engaging in peace agreements, to ensure long-lasting peace.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Trump
- With the reelection of Trump, Ukraine has expressed anxiety about whether the US will continue to support its war efforts.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
Elise Stefanik
- Trump named Elise Stefanik as the UN ambassador. In 2022, Stefanik said she believed Russia was committing genocide in Ukraine, urging NATO to admit Ukraine as a member.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Unclear stance
- Today, Stefanik’s position is unclear. Her previous pro-Ukraine stance is no longer as absolute. Recently, her office was asked if she still supports Ukraine’s NATO membership, and they refused to comment.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
US public opinion
- Stefanik’s position aligns with US public opinion, which expresses concerns about the role of the American military and aid in a conflict without a clear end.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
Voted against aid
- In April 2024, Stefanik voted against the aid package to Ukraine, in contrast with her previous voting patterns and public positions.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
Ending the war
- During his campaign trail, Trump continuously expressed uncertainty regarding continuous aid to Ukraine, while simultaneously stating he will bring about the end of the war, without sharing his strategy as to how.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
JD Vance
- Trump’s vice president JD Vance has shared similar views, suggesting he supports an end to the war in line with Russian demands.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
"Make a deal."
- Trump recently shared in an interview with Fox News that has called on the Ukrainian president to arrive at a ceasefire or implies it will face cuts: “I would tell Zelensky, no more — you got to make a deal.”
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Peace talks
- With Ukraine losing more control over its eastern territories, it has increased its calls for guaranteed security from its allies and reiterated this point as a prerequisite for any peace talks.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Public opinion lowering
- Ukrainian troops are struggling to continue a viable war, while Russia continues to gain ground in escalating attacks. Public opinion has dropped in regard to the US continuing to pour funding into this war under these circumstances.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
Ceding territories
- The sway of public opinion is also observable in Ukraine, among its public. Approximately 32% of Ukrainians are willing to give up territories to end the war.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
Marco Rubio
- Marco Rubio, who was named Trump’s Secretary of State, would probably take on a similar stance to Stefanik; likely inhibiting the continuation of military aid.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
Peace talks
- Trump’s administration sees the end of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as boiling down to peace talks, rather than the furtherance of Ukraine’s militarization.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Against aid package
- Rubio joined Stefanik as part of a group of Republicans who voted against the US$95 billion aid package to Ukraine, with the party shifting its focus to the US-Mexico border.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
“End the war in 24 hours”
- Russian and Ukrainian representatives are vying for Trump’s support, while he reiterates his intention to “end the war in 24 hours” after he takes office.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Service people lost
- Ukraine continues to lose service people, finding the challenge to meet its military needs in terms of personnel and equipment nearly impossible. Meanwhile, Russia maintains its position to persevere with the war until a viable settlement is reached.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Forced ceasefire
- What’s clear is that the Trump administration won’t support Ukraine with unconditional funding. The nations will likely need to negotiate sooner rather than later, or Ukraine will be forced into a ceasefire due to a lack of resources. Sources: (CNN) (The New York Times) (The Financial Times) (CBS News) (The Wall Street Journal) (Politico) (Slate Magazine) See also: All the countries invaded by Russia
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
Russia says relations with US on brink of collapse
Russia refuses to confirm Trump’s claim to have been in contact
© Getty Images
On February 10, Russia announced that US relations “are balancing on the brink of a breakup.” The Kremlin also refused to confirm claims made by President Donald Trump that he had spoken with President Vladimir Putin about the Ukraine war.
The previous day, Trump claimed he had had his first call with Putin since 2022 and commented, “I expect to have many more conversations.” However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he would “neither confirm nor deny” that it had happened.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov added, “We … need to get ... the new US administration to understand and acknowledge that without resolving the problems that are the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine, it will not be possible to reach an agreement.” He also reiterated that the war would continue until Kyiv agreed not to join NATO and to withdraw from the four regions currently occupied by Russian forces.
This news comes at a critical time, as Russia and Ukraine await Trump’s upcoming peace plan to end the conflict. Curious to know more? Click on the following gallery to see what the future may hold for Ukraine.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU




































MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week