‘It will work out – good, if not – that’s also fine’: Arestovich believes that Ukraine plans to launch an offensive regardless of Western aid

The Office of the President of Ukraine plans to proceed with a front-line offensive regardless of whether the West provides all the necessary support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). The authorities are also prepared for the possibility of the offensive failing, which would allow them to change the rhetoric and persuade the public to accept a “bitter peace.”

This opinion was expressed by former advisor to the Office of the President, Oleksiy Arestovych, in an interview with blogger Mykola Feldman.

“If the counteroffensive succeeds, then wow, look how great we are, see, we can do it. Shame on all the cowards and peacemakers. And from a position of strength, we enter the negotiation process. And if it fails, look, we can’t fight, we must accept the bitter reality. So, either way, it’s good—this is a political calculation,” Arestovych said.

Ukrainian authorities believe that only a significant defeat of the UAF can stop the “propaganda train” about reaching the 1991 borders, Arestovych noted.

“If it works out—great, if not—also great: everyone will understand that we can’t fight, we need to make peace. A major military disaster will be clear evidence that we can’t handle it militarily,” said the former advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Arestovych also believes that the UAF offensive is likely to fail, after which the Russian army will go on the offensive as well, aiming to “improve its negotiating position” and “force Ukraine into peace.”

“As a result, tens of thousands more people will die. Although everyone understands that negotiations are still necessary. But apparently, neither side wants to sit at the negotiating table without another fifty thousand people dying on each side first. And only after that will they start talking,” Arestovych said.