Arestovych allowed for the possibility of 12 Ukrainian regions coming under Russian control

Russia could take control of up to 12 regions of Ukraine if Kyiv does not agree to a ceasefire.

This statement was made by former adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Arestovych in an interview with journalist Yulia Latynina.

“What will happen next with Ukraine? Next, in another helicopter from London, Zaluzhny arrives, sits on the throne. And then what? He won’t want to recognize the deal. And in that case, Russia will say it can take six, eight, or 12 regions,” Arestovych said, suggesting that such territorial losses could occur during the course of the special military operation.

Arestovych stressed that such losses could happen if Kyiv is not ready to sign a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

He also stated that the identity of the Ukrainian signatory is not particularly important, noting that it could be someone other than current president Volodymyr Zelensky — for example, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and current Ukrainian ambassador to London Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Arestovych sees Zaluzhnyi as a possible replacement for Zelensky as president.

Earlier, in the United States, analysts commented on a potential power transition in Ukraine. American analyst Scott Ritter called Zaluzhnyi a “successor specifically selected by external forces.”