Reaching a Russia-Ukraine deal may prove challenging.

• According to Francis Fukuyama of Stanford University, resolving the Ukraine war diplomatically will be challenging unless the ground situation changes.
• The concessions required to reach a compromise solution are not politically feasible because both sides have lost so much, he stated on CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Wednesday.
• He stated that he is "more hopeful" about Ukraine's chances of victory in the war due to increased morale.

According to Francis Fukuyama, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, finding a diplomatic resolution for the war in Ukraine will be challenging unless the circumstances on the ground change.

The concessions required to reach a compromise solution are not politically feasible because both sides have lost so much, he stated on CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Wednesday.

He stated that for Ukraine, it is impossible to accept anything less than Russia withdrawing to its pre-war borders.

Fukuyama stated that if the Russians do not retreat to their positions held on Feb. 23, prior to the invasion, it is unlikely that a Ukrainian president can survive.

He is essentially surrendering Ukrainian land to Russian aggression, according to him.

Since the war in Ukraine began, Russia is unwilling to relinquish any territorial gains.

Fukuyama stated that if President Putin had launched the war, despite the massive casualties inflicted, it would have been for no reason.

He stated that a solution can only be found after new advancements occur on the battlefield.

In addition to the territorial issue, Russia has stated that Ukraine should sign a neutrality agreement, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is willing to do.

Zelenskyy stated that he was open to negotiating with Russia over the disputed Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

‘Destroyed’ and demoralized

Fukuyama stated that he cannot predict the outcome of the war, but Russia has already been defeated in the region north of Kyiv.

The Ukrainians destroyed a quarter to a third of their massive force, despite their claims of regrouping, according to him.

Fukuyama expressed a more optimistic outlook on Ukraine's chances of victory in the war due to their increased morale.

Russia's vehicles are poorly maintained due to corruption, resulting in demoralization among the Russians, who have abandoned their vehicles and are unsure of the purpose of their fighting, according to him.

In contrast, 'tens of thousands' of Ukrainians returned home to defend their nation.

Fukuyama stated that their motivation stems from a strong sense of patriotism and national identity.

He stated that those factors significantly influence the military conflict's outcome.