Russia's aggressor country's war against Ukraine will end only after dictator vladimir putin dies or resigns, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview with The Times.
The former minister described russia's campaign to subjugate Ukraine as putin's "personal obsession" and said the conflict would continue in one form or another as long as he remained in the Kremlin.
According to Reznikov, even if a ceasefire were declared and buffer zones were established, russia would continue to wage a hybrid war, as it did in the years leading up to the full-scale invasion in 2022.
According to the former minister, members of putin's inner circle, who could potentially become his successors, are unlikely to decide to continue the war due to the devastating impact of sanctions on the country's economy.
"[Putin] is afraid of Ukraine because we are a threat to his regime. If the russian population sees that the democratic, liberal, European path is better than tyranny, then for the regime it will become a matter of survival. That is why I believe that only after a change of leadership in russia will we have a real chance to live in normal, peaceful coexistence with the russians," Reznikov said.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in June, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said that there is currently no question of even establishing a ceasefire in russia's war against Ukraine, so it is unlikely that the russian aggression will end in the next three years.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.