The war in Ukraine remains one of the most debated topics, and forecasts for its end vary considerably. Experts share their opinions on the possibility of the war ending in 2025. Find out more about the prospects, key forecasts and what awaits Ukraine next year

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The war in Ukraine has been going on for several years now, and the issue of its end is of concern to both citizens and the international community. Predictions about the end of the conflict vary from cautious optimism to scepticism. We have collected the opinions of experts who analyse the possibility of the war ending in 2025. What they have to say is described below.

Will the new Trump administration affect the end of the war in 2025?

Ben Hodges, who previously headed the US Army in Europe, notes that the end of the war in Ukraine is linked to a number of important aspects, among which the United States, European countries and the state of the russian economy play a crucial role. He made this statement in his commentary to the Kyiv 24 TV channel. In his opinion, the change in the US administration could be a significant event, but its impact is still difficult to predict. Donald Trump, who is returning to the presidency, has made many loud statements about the war in Ukraine, but their implementation will require the support of Congress and allies, as well as the consent of Ukraine itself.

Hodges emphasises that russia is unlikely to agree to peace talks as long as it believes it can succeed on the battlefield or benefit from new US policies. However, he points out that russia is in a difficult economic situation, dependent on the support of North Korea, China and Iran, and is already experiencing limitations in its own defence industry. According to the expert, this creates logistical and economic pressure, which could be decisive in 2025.

Ben Hodges also emphasises the importance of European support. In his opinion, European countries should increase arms production more actively and provide Ukraine with more resources, as the loss of Ukraine could lead to destabilisation on the European continent.

Regarding the prospects for ending the war in 2025, Hodges is optimistic that russia's economic difficulties and Western cohesion could be a turning point. However, the future will largely depend on the consistency of the allies' actions and Ukraine's ability to resist aggression.

Viktor Orban: two options for ending the war

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is convinced that russia's war against Ukraine will end in 2025. In an interview with the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet, he said that there are two possible scenarios for ending the conflict: peace talks or a complete defeat of one of the parties.

Viktor Orban stressed that the war has a significant impact on the economic situation in Europe, including Hungary. According to him, the funds spent on supporting Ukraine could have been used to develop the European defence system or improve the living standards of citizens. At the same time, he stressed that the military conflict has caused large-scale destruction in Ukraine, making it economically dependent on foreign aid.

Earlier, Orban offered Ukraine a ‘Christmas ceasefire’ and a prisoner exchange, but this initiative was not supported. The Office of the President of Ukraine stated that Hungary did not coordinate such proposals with Kyiv, and Orban himself has no leverage over russia. In addition, the Ukrainian side stressed that Ukraine continues to demonstrate its strength on the battlefield.

Orban also expressed hope that the war would end in 2025 and Europe would return to economic stability. However, his position has caused skepticism among other European leaders because of Hungary's passivity in supporting Ukraine and attempts at mediation that were not coordinated with international partners.

Volodymyr Fesenko: the war will end only if the enemy is stopped

According to political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko, the chances of ending the war in 2025 seem unlikely. He made this comment on Radio NV. In his opinion, there are currently no prerequisites for the end of hostilities, although the possibility of peace talks is not excluded. However, the official position of the kremlin is that russia does not want the war to end. Statements by the russian leadership make it clear that they do not intend to stop the aggression.

Fesenko emphasises that Ukraine should remain focused on resisting and strengthening its positions. According to him, the war may continue next year, but its end is possible only if the aggressor is successfully deterred.

"We must prepare, stay focused and continue the fight. Stopping the enemy is the main task for the next year," the expert stressed.

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Nostradamus: prophecies about the end of the war in 2025

Interpretations of Nostradamus' prophecies add a bit of irony to the discussion of the end of the war. According to the New York Post, in his book The Prophecies, the seer mentioned the depletion of resources during a prolonged war, which may be relevant to the current conflict in Ukraine.

Excerpts of the text point to a financial collapse that could force the parties to stop fighting.

In particular, Nostradamus wrote:

‘During a long war, the whole army will be exhausted, so they will find no money for the soldiers; instead of gold or silver, they will come to leather coins, Gallic brass, and the crescent of the moon.’

The mention of Gallic brass and the crescent moon has been speculated to symbolise the involvement of France or Turkey in helping to bring the war to an end.

Although this prediction should be taken with a certain amount of irony, it reflects the view that economic difficulties and international pressure may become decisive factors in 2025.

Chorna Zgraya: continuing the struggle as the only way

The "Chorna Zgraya" unit, which brings together volunteers from various professions, continues to fight on the frontline, overcoming all the difficulties of war. The group includes a chef, a web developer, an artist and a mechanic. All of them volunteered to defend Ukraine, guided by ideals and a sense of duty. The defenders shared their predictions with a BBC News Ukraine correspondent.

The unit's commander, 31-year-old Surt, joined the army immediately after the full-scale invasion began. He initially assumed that the war would last three years, but is now mentally preparing himself for the possibility of a much longer conflict. He believes that negotiations can take place, but doubts that they will be a fair outcome for Ukraine.

Members of the unit share their commander's scepticism about the possibility of a ceasefire. Serhiy, a chef, believes that peace agreements will only freeze the conflict, which will resume in a few years. David, a painter, also expresses concerns about the unpredictability of Donald Trump's potential role in the negotiations.

Despite the losses and exhaustion, the unit continues to train even while resting. Denys, a newly arrived volunteer who left a safe life in Germany, believes that trying to defend Ukraine is worth any sacrifice. Although he acknowledges the exhaustion of the Ukrainian army, Denys calls for new strategies to fight and support, stressing that only through resistance can victory be won.

Dmytro Gordon: end of the hot phase of the war or speculation?

On 29 December 2024, Dmitry Gordon said that a ‘historic meeting’ would take place in the near future, which, in his opinion, could end the hot phase of the war. He expressed confidence that the conflict would enter a new phase on 30 December. Gordon stressed that the decrease in the intensity of rocket attacks and the absence of massive strikes in recent days is proof of preparations for this event.

However, the journalist refrained from disclosing details about the meeting, which caused a lot of scepticism. He noted that Washington could have asked moscow to refrain from attacks on the eve of the talks.

‘If everything goes well, 30 December will be a day of historic significance,’ Gordon said.

However, official moscow has already denied the existence of any agreements that could lead to an end to the war. russian media outlets have said that talk of a ‘peace meeting’ is ‘just another speculation’ and has no real basis in reality.

The war in Ukraine continues, and every day reminds us of the importance of protecting ourselves and our loved ones. Reliable insurance against war risks will help you to be prepared for unforeseen situations and provide financial support in critical moments. Take care of your safety today!

Just a reminder. Despite the challenges of the war, Ukraine's tourism industry is showing resilience and recovery. In the first three quarters of 2024, tourist tax revenue grew by 21% compared to last year. Read here to find out which regions of Ukraine are showing growth in the tourism sector during the war.

Photo: Getty Images

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