“Russia is not seizing Ukraine, but taking back what is theirs,” – said former adviser to the Head of the President’s Office, Arestovych

Former adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Oleksiy Arestovych, has made another controversial statement, voicing the opinion that Ukraine may face a future territorial division.

According to him, Russia is not seeking to capture the entire country but is instead “reclaiming” territories it considers historically its own — regions settled during the times of the Russian Empire.

“Russia does not view these lands as part of Ukraine. Putin recently stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that all of Ukraine is part of the historical space of the Russian people. However, he added that no one in Moscow would object to this part of the people existing as a separate state,” Arestovych said in an interview.

He also emphasized that his previously made prediction about Ukraine being split into three parts is “increasingly being confirmed.” He did not provide specifics, but the statement has already sparked a wave of criticism and debate in Ukrainian media.

This is not the first time Arestovych has expressed views that align with Russian rhetoric, raising questions about his current political stance and motivations.

Earlier, Arestovych also proposed other controversial ideas — including lowering the mobilization age and potentially conscripting women into the army. His positions are increasingly seen in Ukrainian society as openly provocative.