Global markets were on edge Monday as momentum to end the war in Ukraine appeared to be ramping up. European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are heading to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump on ending the conflict.
However, experts warn that there is no “quick fix” and that negotiations could last years. The war began in 2022 and has disrupted trade and supply chains, causing geopolitical tensions between major economies.
Traders will be watching the talks closely, hoping that an end to the Russia-Ukraine war could be nearer than at any other time. But those in the know say that fledgling talks are just the beginning of a long and complex path to a ceasefire.
US President Trump’s inconclusive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday have raised concerns about the pace of negotiations. Experts say that peace agreements take a very long time to achieve, and that Russia’s stance on land swaps and security guarantees is non-negotiable.
European leaders are traveling to Washington to discuss Ukraine’s future and possible conditions for a peace deal, including land swaps and security guarantees. However, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy may face pressure to enter a deal, with Trump ruling out Ukraine’s regaining control of Crimea and joining NATO.
The meeting follows Trump’s summit with Putin last Friday, but the talks concluded without a ceasefire. Experts say that a peace deal is much more difficult to achieve than initially thought, and that it will take a lot of time.
As markets continue to watch the situation closely, experts warn against expecting a “quick fix” and instead advise investors to focus on defense spending as a key driver of the European economy.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/18/markets-hope-ukraine-war-could-end-experts-say-theres-no-quick-fix.html