A former aide to Zelensky predicts the conflict in Ukraine will last until 2035.
(Baonghean.vn) - Aleksey Arestovich warns that the stalemate between Moscow and Kyiv could develop into a protracted war lasting for many years.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine could continue for more than another decade – that's the assessment of Aleksey Arestovich, a former advisor to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. He predicts that the two neighboring countries are unlikely to resolve their differences in the near future.
“That will last until 2035, that’s for sure,” Aleksey Arestovich said in an interview on September 17, posted on his YouTube channel. According to Arestovich, Russia is “seeking a new kind of empire,” one that would never exist without Ukraine.
The former Ukrainian presidential aide then went on to predict that “a period of intense tension will continue until 2035.” However, he argued that the stalemate does not necessarily have to be military in nature. The two sides could reach a ceasefire or completely end hostilities, but conflict would then continue “on diplomatic, intelligence, economic, and informational fronts.”
Arestovich argued that Ukraine must get used to living under constant military threat and maintain a “state of high alert,” suggesting that Kyiv should emulate Israel if it wants to adapt to such circumstances. “A war could break out or a border incident could occur” at any time, even after the current fighting ends.
Arestovich also noted that he first made such a prediction in April 2022, when the conflict had only been underway for two months. He added that at the time, his statement shocked many people.
Earlier last week, Bloomberg reported that the world's seven leading developed economies, the G7, believe the Russia-Ukraine conflict could last another six to seven years. Many officials said this extended timeframe is due to the apparent lack of progress in Ukraine's counteroffensive.
One of the officials told Bloomberg that Kyiv could struggle with a shortage of Western arms supplies and a growing loss of manpower.
The article further states that, despite such predictions, Ukraine and Western-backed countries remain opposed to the idea of negotiating with Russia and reject any solution to the conflict involving Ukraine ceding territory it claims as its own.
Moscow has repeatedly stated its readiness to participate in peace talks, but emphasizes that these talks must take into account Russia's interests and "the realities on the ground," referring to the four former Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia after a series of referendums in 2022.
On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session that Russia is ready to participate in peace talks, but will not consider any ceasefire proposals, as they have previously been "deceived".
