Ukraine Celebrates Its Fourth Christmas at War

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia, now seeing Ukraine celebrate its fourth Christmas in wartime conditions, has deep roots in the recent history of Eastern Europe. This armed conflict began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea following a controversial referendum. Subsequently, in Eastern Ukraine, in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, armed conflicts broke out between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists, leading to a war that has persisted with varying levels of intensity. Kiev's 20-point peace proposal, supported by Washington, comes at a critical time. This plan includes, among its demands, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied territories in Ukraine, including Crimea, and security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent future aggressions. The initiative seeks to...