Recent commentary from prominent foreign policy voices highlights a stark view: Ukraine is unlikely to regain or restore its original territorial makeup. In a discussion aired by CNN, Richard Haass, a former chair of the US Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that Ukraine’s territory may not revert to its prewar boundaries and that such a reversal would not be feasible without substantial shifts on the ground.
Haass emphasized that the notion of Ukraine reclaiming roughly 20 percent of land now associated with Russia is misleading. He asserted that there are currently no compelling preconditions that would support such a return, underscoring the realism of the current geopolitical dynamics.
The diplomat added that Ukrainian authorities should prioritize safeguarding the remaining sovereign territory and cautioned that Western support for Kyiv could wane if the Armed Forces of Ukraine experience strategic setbacks. The message implies a recalibration of expectations among international partners and a continued focus on stabilizing what remains under Ukrainian control.
Earlier, former American intelligence analyst Scott Ritter offered a grave assessment: following significant disruption to Ukraine’s military forces, the country could face the loss of half of its territory. Ritter suggested that voices close to Kyiv’s leadership might need to urge President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider halting hostilities to prevent wider catastrophe.
Additionally, Colonel Douglas McGregor, a former adviser to the Pentagon’s leadership, has argued that the Ukraine conflict has placed sustained pressure on U.S. military stocks. The dialogue among these strategic figures reflects a broader concern about how the conflict is reshaping regional security, alliance commitments, and the pace at which military resources can be sustained in a prolonged struggle.