What's the ground situation like in Ukraine, and what are the variables in peace talks?

Up next, our Kim Bo-kyoung examines the current ground situation in Ukraine. and prospects over the war that stretches on for three years now.

11-percent of its land has been lost, and the population has decreased by nearly ten million in Ukraine, since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Russia has captured most of the four southeastern regions, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

Considering land already lost to Russia Crimea and Russian-backed separatists since the conflict began in 2014, the total land Ukraine has lost is about 18-percent.

Ukraine launched a surprise offensive last August, capturing Russia's Kursk region, only for it to be recaptured by Russian forces.

Now with Donald Trump back in the Oval Office, the war has entered a new phase, with the U.S. and Russia beginning the first step of a series of engagements to bring the war to an end.

Excluded from the talks, Europe and Ukraine are scrambling for security measures to deter Russia.

One expert says having Europe's own security force will be a must, though it might take some time.

"Europe will have to have peacekeeping troops or some type of security forces, however they call it, but it will likely be difficult to form a large number of troops in a very short period of time."

Ukraine itself is working to have a U.S. presence in the territory, with Kyiv to, reportedly, soon sign a mineral agreement.

The expert says the focal point would be what security measures the U.S. has promised Ukraine in return.

"If Ukraine has made such significant concessions, accepting the mineral deal, it is likely that the U.S. made proposals of taking on a role in providing further security guarantees."

Even if the U.S. allows Ukraine to be a NATO member in exchange for mineral development rights for rare earth elements whether Russia would tolerate this remains a question. though its original purpose was to just gain Ukraine's territory.

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.