Ukraine should give up any idea of restoring its 1991 borders, following the collapse of the USSR, or even those existing before the large-scale Russian invasion in 2022, says former Ukrainian army commander Valeri Zalujnîi.
Zalujnîi, currently Ukraine’s ambassador to London, was replaced as chief commander in February 2024, after months of tensions and disagreements with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Call for Realism: "No one should expect miracles anymore"
Zelensky and other public figures have consistently advocated for a return to Ukraine's 1991 borders, including the recapture of Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, according to Reuters.
However, as the idea of ceasefire negotiations has gained momentum in recent months, official statements from Kiev have become more moderate regarding the recovery of lost territories.
"I hope there are no longer people in this room who are still waiting for a miracle or a lucky sign to bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022, and eternal happiness thereafter," Zalujnîi said at a forum in Kiev, according to the RBK Ukraine website.
War of Attrition and Limited Chances
The former commander warned that Russia still has the resources and capabilities to launch strikes and offensive operations. "The enemy still has forces and means. Russia has been waging a war of attrition for over a year," he said.
In the context of Ukraine having reduced forces and a weakened economy, Zalujnîi believes that the only chance of resistance is a "technological survival war," based on the use of advanced technologies with minimal resource consumption.
Speaking via video conference at the forum in Kiev, Zalujnîi reiterated that Ukraine is no longer capable, demographically and economically, of waging another conventional war.
"We cannot afford a new war, and we should not even dream of such a thing," emphasized the diplomat.
In his view, victory can only be achieved by destroying Russia's military and economic capacity to continue the war.
Negotiations under International Pressure
Surveys place Zalujnîi among the most popular leaders among the Ukrainian population. At the same time, Zelensky's popularity has increased following the confrontation in February with American President Donald Trump at the White House.
Amid pressures exerted by Trump on both sides, Ukraine has agreed to start direct negotiations with Russia, but with the condition of a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
In the absence of an agreement with Moscow, the European Union imposed new sanctions against Russia this week. President Vladimir Putin stated that discussions with Ukraine will include the principles of a peace agreement, terms for a possible ceasefire, and a clear definition of its duration.
G.P.