War

Bild assesses Russia’s “successes” in 2025: less than 1% of unoccupied Ukraine captured

The Kremlin continues to claim that the Russian occupation army is confidently defeating Ukraine on the battlefield. However, in 2025, the Russians managed to capture only 4,400 square kilometers of Ukrainian land, which is less than 1% of the country’s territory. This is reported by the German edition of Bild, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs

According to journalists, such a meager territorial “gain” came at an extremely high cost to Russia. In 2025 alone, Bild estimates that about 100,000 Russian soldiers were killed. The publication emphasizes that the scale of losses is not commensurate with the actual results on the battlefield.

Slow progress and depletion of resources

The publication noted that Ukraine still holds 5,700 square kilometers in Donetsk region, 5,800 square kilometers in Zaporizhzhia region and 6,400 square kilometers in Kherson region.

Analysts note that even if Russia continues to maintain the same pace of advance as in 2025, it will take at least four years to establish full control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. This is assuming no additional losses and that the army’s current capabilities are maintained, which seems unlikely.

Along with military difficulties, Russia is facing increasingly serious economic problems. Bild draws attention to rising inflation, falling purchasing power, and ultra-high key interest rates, which hinder economic development and make it difficult to finance the war.

The publication emphasized that the reason is also not only Western sanctions, but also hundreds of Ukrainian strikes on Russian critical infrastructure in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.

Political pressure as the Kremlin’s bet

The article emphasizes that under the current circumstances, the Kremlin’s only hope for a so-called “quick victory” is political and diplomatic pressure, not military success. In particular, Bild writes about Moscow’s hopes for coordinated actions with the Donald Trump administration aimed at forcing Kyiv to voluntarily withdraw Ukrainian troops from critical areas.

However, the publication emphasizes that without such external factors, Russia does not have the resources to quickly achieve its strategic goals in Ukraine. The current dynamics of the war indicate a prolonged exhaustion rather than real prospects for a turnaround in favor of the aggressor.

A peace plan for Ukraine

A draft peace plan, a political document between Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and the Russians, is currently being discussed. The 20 points of the plan contain references to other possible documents.

In addition to the peace plan itself, there are the following documents:

• a trilateral document on security guarantees – Ukraine, the United States, and Europe,
• a bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States.
• the Roadmap for Ukraine’s Prosperity, a document developed with the United States on recovery and economic development that contains a vision of development until 2040.

Peace plan for Ukraine: what is in 20 points

1. Confirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
2. An unconditional non-aggression agreement between Russia and Ukraine is envisaged. A monitoring mechanism will be established on the contact line.
3. Ukraine will receive strong security guarantees.
4. The size of the Armed Forces will be kept at 800,000 in peacetime.
5. The United States, NATO, and Europe will provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to Article 5. If the Russian Federation invades Ukraine, there will be a military response and renewed sanctions. If Ukraine invades Russia or opens fire on Russian territory without provocation, the security guarantees will be canceled. If Russia opens fire on Ukraine, the security guarantees will come into force. There was also an addendum about compensation for the US for the guarantees, but now it has been deleted. Bilateral security guarantees are not excluded under this agreement. In particular, the countries of the coalition of the willing can join the security guarantees.
6. Russia will enshrine its non-aggression policy toward Europe and Ukraine in all necessary laws.
7. Ukraine will become a member of the EU at a specific time and will receive short-term privileged access to the European market. EU membership for Ukraine is part of the security guarantees, we want to fix the date of accession.
8. Provides for a strong global development package for Ukraine, which will be defined in a separate investment agreement, including, in particular: a development fund for investment, development of gas infrastructure, reconstruction of territories, mining, natural resources.
9. Several funds will be created to address recovery issues. The goal is to attract $800 billion.
10. After this agreement is signed, Ukraine will accelerate the process of concluding a free trade agreement with the United States. America’s position is that they are talking about a free trade agreement with Ukraine and a free trade agreement with Russia.
11. Ukraine’s non-nuclear status.
12. ZAES. No compromise has been found on this issue. The United States proposes joint management between Ukraine, the United States, and the Russians, with the three parties receiving dividends. The US offers 33% for 33% for 33%. And the Americans are the main manager. Ukraine’s compromise offer: ZNPP is operated jointly by the United States and Ukraine – 50/50. But 50% of the electricity produced is given to Ukraine, and the US determines its own distribution for another 50%. At the same time, ZNPP, Enerhodar, and Kakhovka HPP should be demilitarized.
13. Ukraine and the Russian Federation undertake to implement educational programs in schools and throughout society that promote understanding and tolerance of different cultures, eliminate racism and prejudice. Ukraine will implement EU rules on religious tolerance and protection of minority languages.
14. Territories. The most difficult point. It was proposed as follows – In Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, the line of troops as of the date of this agreement is a de facto recognized line of contact. The Russian Federation must withdraw its troops from Dnipropetrovs’k, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions for this agreement to enter into force.
    
    Ukraine’s position. As Zelenskyy explained, Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region, while the United States offers a compromise – a free economic zone. If there is no agreement to “stay where we are,” the free economic zone can only be adopted by referendum. At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that the United States wants a referendum, but, according to him, the entire document should be put to a vote, not a single issue. “A referendum takes at least 60 days. And we need a real 60-day ceasefire.
15. Once the future territorial arrangements are agreed upon, both Russia and Ukraine undertake not to change these arrangements by force.
16. Russia will not prevent Ukraine from using the Dnipro River and the Black Sea for commercial activities. A separate maritime agreement and access agreement will be concluded, covering freedom of navigation and transportation. As part of this agreement , the Kinburn Spit will be demilitarized.
17. A humanitarian committee will be set up to resolve open issues. Exchange of prisoners of war for all, return of civilian hostages, including children and political prisoners, and resolution of the problems and suffering of the victims of the conflict.
18. Ukraine should hold elections as soon as possible after signing the agreement.
19. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, chaired by Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for violations.
20. Once all parties agree to this agreement, a full ceasefire will come into effect immediately.

It is also assumed that Ukraine will submit the agreement to the parliament for ratification and/or hold a national referendum for approval. Ukraine may decide to hold elections simultaneously with the referendum.

The agreement will enter into force after both parties fulfill their obligations. Security guarantees will only come into effect if the agreement is fully ratified or approved by referendum.

Reading now

The Verkhovna Rada requires tools to control the supervisory boards of state-owned companies: their effectiveness is unknown

From princes to billionaires: who wants to ban AI “superintelligence” and why

Temporary protection in the EU: all possible scenarios for Ukrainians after the expiration of the term

The reverse effect: how the desire to reduce illegal schemes in business can provoke their increase