Western analysts have outlined five possible scenarios for the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.

CNN analysts outlined five potential outcomes for the end of the war if US President Donald Trump and Russian President were to meet.

Here are the main points:

1. The least probable scenario is Putin agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire, as Russia is currently on the offensive.
2. The parties might agree to pause hostilities and freeze the front line for the winter – around October. Later, Russia could demand recognition of the occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian, or fighting could resume.
3. With substantial military aid from the US and EU, Ukraine could be able to continue resisting Russia’s advances. In this scenario, the offensive will slow, and sanctions will weaken Russia’s economy. European nations may deploy a deterrent force – thousands of NATO soldiers near Kyiv and other key cities – that will support security and rebuilding efforts.
4. Following the Trump-Putin meeting, US-Russia relations could improve, but Ukraine might still find itself lacking sufficient support. Europe will do everything it can to assist Kiev, but without the US, it may not be able to shift the power balance. Russian troops could launch a large-scale offensive into Ukrainian territory, sparking a military and political crisis.
5. Russia could become involved in a prolonged, draining war with heavy human and economic costs. This would resemble the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan, and Russia could even cease to be a serious military threat to Europe.