Ukraine's intelligence chief suggests war with Russia may need negotiations
The deputy head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR), General Vadym Skibitsky, expressed that a military victory alone might not end the war with Russia, suggesting that negotiations with the aggressor could become inevitable.
5:47 AM EDT, May 3, 2024
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently dismissed the idea of talks with the Kremlin, Skibitsky, in a discussion with The Economist magazine, indicated that negotiations may ultimately be necessary.
"General Skibitsky says he does not see a way for Ukraine to win the war on the battlefield alone. Even if it were able to push Russian forces back to the borders an increasingly distant prospect it wouldn’t end the war," reported "The Economist".
He stated that such conflicts invariably conclude with treaties, adding that both parties are currently vying for the most advantageous positioning ahead of any potential discussions. However, the British magazine conveyed that he views significant negotiations starting no sooner than the second half of 2025.
It's worth noting that President Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have mentioned Russia's exclusion from a peace summit scheduled for June in Switzerland, citing doubts over Moscow's sincerity in negotiations.
Similarly, Dmytro Kuleba, head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, echoed Skibitsky's sentiments to Reuters. According to Kuleba, the June summit will bring together countries aligned in their principles and views on the future course of action. He noted the eventual possibility of engaging with Russia in the dialogue, acknowledging that ending the war necessitates the involvement of both parties.
According to "The Economist," Skibitsky deems Ukraine's current situation the most perilous since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion. He believes Russia aims to "achieve something" before its Victory Day celebrations on May 9th or Vladimir Putin's anticipated visit to Beijing the following week.
The deputy chief of HUR voiced concerns over weapon shortages. "Our problem is very simple: we have no weapons. They always knew April and May would be a difficult time for us," Skibitsky revealed.
He added that though both sides might face weapon shortages, Ukraine is likely to deplete its resources sooner without external intervention. Skibitsky highlighted the uncertainty surrounding European countries' continued support for Ukraine.
