Date: November 19th, 2025
Location: University College London
Topic: Achieving a Just Peace Through Diplomacy
The Ukrainian Youth Organisation has continued its series of youth-led policy discussions exploring the key challenges shaping Ukraine’s future. This session examined whether a just and durable peace with Russia can be achieved through diplomacy. The discussion underscored the profound obstacles facing any negotiated settlement, highlighting numerous unresolved questions and the limited room for compromise.
We express our gratitude to University College London’s Ukrainian Society for their assistance in organising this event.
Key Findings
Ongoing Peace Efforts: Latest proposals, driven largely by the current US administration, are seen as overly favourable to Russia and therefore unfit to form the basis of a just peace. With both Russia and Ukraine firmly opposed to the involvement of actors they consider adversarial, any workable settlement should be endorsed by states acceptable to both sides. Countries such as Türkiye were noted as realistic candidates capable of playing a constructive guarantor role without triggering immediate political rejection from either party.
Territorial Questions: Territorial integrity forms the foundation of Ukrainian statehood and should not be compromised to accommodate aggression. The possibility that certain international actors, including the United States, may be open to legitimising Russia’s territorial claims was viewed as deeply concerning. Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts must therefore prioritise preventing any normalisation of territorial gains acquired by force. While it is likely that parts of Ukraine will remain under de facto Russian control after any realistic settlement, long-term strategies should be developed to ensure their eventual reintegration under Ukrainian governance.
Potential Concessions: Symbolic concessions, such as enhanced protections for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchy) and the Russian language can not be contemplated. These measures could be utilised by the aggressor to further undermine Ukraine’s political sovereignty. Although language and religion have been weaponised by Russia as instruments of soft power, Ukrainian society’s heightened resilience and public consciousness should act as a safeguard against such influence. Beyond these narrowly defined areas, any concessions that diminish Ukraine’s sovereign authority or restrict its ability to strengthen its defence capabilities were deemed unacceptable.
Security Guarantees: While US involvement remains desirable, it cannot constitute the sole basis of Ukraine’s security. The volatility of recent US foreign policy across multiple administrations underscores the need for diversified and dependable support. Strengthening Ukraine’s European trajectory, consolidating domestic institutions, and expanding partnerships within the EU and beyond should be seen as essential steps. A just peace must rest on a multilayered security framework that reduces Ukraine’s vulnerability to external political fluctuations and ensures continuity of international support.
Conclusion
The discussion concluded that, under present conditions, a just peace is unlikely to be achieved through diplomacy alone. With the interests of Ukraine and Russia fundamentally incompatible, no viable settlement currently exists that would both satisfy Ukraine’s sovereignty requirements and ensure durable stability. In this context, military progress remains essential for reshaping the strategic landscape. A strengthened Ukrainian position would be necessary to compel Russia to reconsider its demands and approach negotiations from a more realistic and equitable standpoint.
The Ukrainian Youth Organisation will continue to facilitate open, informed dialogue among young Ukrainians in the UK, contributing to a broader vision of a democratic, resilient, and united Ukraine.