Today marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Across the last year, pundits on either side have often forecast a decisive breakthrough, whether due to Russian economic woes or faltering Western support for Ukraine. Yet while exhaustion on both sides mounts, including through recent massive Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power system, a peace deal still seems beyond reach.

Taras Bilous, a socialist today serving in Ukrainian uniform, has long called for international solidarity with Ukraine’s resistance. He has criticized left-wing stances in favor of cutting Western aid to Kyiv, insisting that this would merely reward Russian aggression. In an interview with Sasha Talaver, he explains why Ukrainians are increasingly pushing for a ceasefire but can’t accept a peace deal that doesn’t guarantee the country’s future defenses.