ISW presented facts about the war in Ukraine following Trump's statements.
This was reported in the analytical digest by the Institute for the Study of War.
Has Ukraine Really Lost the War Against Russia?
Despite Russian aggression, Ukraine continues to maintain control over the majority of its territory. Currently, Russian troops occupy about 20% of the country; however, their rate of advance has significantly slowed. Analysts estimate that if Russia can sustain its current personnel losses (which is doubtful), it would take them over 83 years to capture the remaining Ukrainian territories.
Over the past three months, the speed of the Russian offensive has considerably decreased. In November 2024, the average rate of advance was 27.94 sq. km per day, in December it dropped to 18.1 sq. km, and in January 2025, it fell to just 16.1 sq. km. This trend indicates that Russia is forced to expend enormous resources and suffer catastrophic losses to gain minimal territorial advantages.
Ukrainian Cities Continue to Function
It is important to note that despite strikes on civilian infrastructure, most major Ukrainian cities remain operational. Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa continue to function, while large-scale destruction has primarily affected those locations that have been occupied or subjected to intense attacks, as was the case with Mariupol.
Political Situation: Elections During Martial Law Are Impossible
The Constitution of Ukraine prohibits the holding of elections or amendments to the constitution during martial law. This rule was activated following Russia's full-scale invasion. Lifting martial law amidst ongoing hostilities is impossible, effectively making elections unfeasible. Even political opponents of Volodymyr Zelensky have stated that organizing voting during wartime would be illegal and morally unacceptable.
Ukraine's Losses: No Millions, but the War Comes at a High Cost
Official sources refute the Kremlin's claims regarding "millions of losses" for Ukraine. According to Zelensky, as of February 16, 2025, the total number of Ukrainian military fatalities was 46,000, with over 390,000 soldiers injured. U.S. estimates indicate losses of between 60,000 and 70,000 Ukrainian military personnel, while the UN reports over 12,000 civilian deaths as of the end of 2024.
Western Assistance: Europe Supports Ukraine as Much as the U.S.
European countries, including the EU, the UK, and Norway, have provided more assistance to Ukraine than the United States. Overall, Europe has allocated $166 billion in direct aid and promised an additional $34.7 billion by 2030. The total support from European sources has already exceeded $204.1 billion, while U.S. aid stands at $183 billion.
Additionally, the EU has introduced a new financial support mechanism for Ukraine, utilizing revenues from frozen Russian assets. In total, the EU holds $220.5 billion of Russian funds, and by January 2025, Ukraine received $3.2 billion in loans backed by these revenues.
Kremlin Manipulations Regarding American Aid
Despite claims circulating in the U.S. that a significant portion of the allocated aid has supposedly been lost or embezzled, the U.S. Department of Defense has found no evidence of misappropriation of funds. Most American financial resources are directed toward supporting its own defense industry and replenishing U.S. reserves, while the aid directly reaching Ukraine is under strict oversight by American governmental bodies.
Russia Has Never Been Open to Peace Negotiations
Zelensky has repeatedly proposed direct negotiations with the Russian president even before the full-scale war began. The last such offer was made on February 19, 2022, five days before the invasion, but Putin ignored it.
In March 2022, Ukraine proposed a compromise regarding NATO membership and the possibility of holding a referendum on the status of occupied territories, but the Kremlin demanded complete capitulation and demilitarization of Ukraine, rejecting all proposals.
It is worth noting that recently, U.S. President Donald Trump made a series of sharp statements directed at Volodymyr Zelensky.
Moreover, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War explained in their previous digest how the Kremlin wants to discredit the Ukrainian government in front of its partners.