The former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Zaluzhny, stated that it will be ‘practically impossible’ for Ukraine to exit the ‘protracted’ war with Russia

It will be “virtually impossible” for Ukraine to exit the “prolonged” war with Russia, which plays into Russia’s hands.

This statement was made by former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK, Valeriy Zaluzhny, as reported by “The Kyiv Independent”.

His remarks diverge from the official position of Kyiv.

According to Zaluzhny, in 2023, the West did not provide Ukraine with enough weapons, which has resulted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces being drawn into a “prolonged war.” He warned that the conflict is now transitioning into a “positional” phase with “static and exhausting” battles, which allows Russia to restore its combat power.

The former Commander-in-Chief noted that throughout this year, Ukraine has faced difficulties in defending the front lines, while Russia has steadily concentrated its offensive potential. Zaluzhny acknowledged that Ukrainian troops are being forced to gradually give up positions under the pressure of Russian forces, which outnumber and outgun them, particularly in the areas of Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Kurakhove.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky, while presenting his so-called “victory plan,” stated that his goal is to end the conflict no later than 2025.