Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman warns against underestimating Kiev's defense capabilities
(Baonghean.vn) - Russian State Duma Vice Chairman Pyotr Tolstoy was cautious when saying that Moscow should not underestimate Kiev's defense capabilities, which have been significantly enhanced by the West.
Lawmaker Pyotr Tolstoy predicts that the conflict in Ukraine is unlikely to end in the near future, as Kiev is strongly resisting massive military support from the West.
In an interview with Russian TV presenter Vyacheslav Manucharov broadcast on September 11, Tolstoy said he believed the war between Moscow and Kiev would continue for “another 1 to 3 years.”
“The situation will not develop quickly. There is fierce resistance, a stubborn enemy. We should not underestimate the fact that many countries are supplying Kiev with weapons and equipment. Ukraine has nothing of its own, it is fighting with what it has received,” the Russian lawmaker said.
Acknowledging that the conflict would be damaging for Russia, Tolstoy argued that the military campaign must continue following what happened during violent clashes in the Ukrainian city of Odessa in May 2014.
Since the Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022, Western countries have provided tens of billions of dollars in security aid to Kiev. The United States is the largest donor to Ukraine, with about $42 billion. Russia has repeatedly warned that this aid will only prolong the war but will not change the final outcome.
Russian officials have also said on several occasions that the military campaign in Ukraine will end when Moscow achieves its goals, including protecting Donbass from "genocide" and laying the foundations for "conditions that guarantee Russia's security."
Russia has not yet completely closed the door to negotiations with Kiev, however. Last fall, Kiev banned all talks with the current leadership in Moscow after four former Ukrainian regions overwhelmingly voted to join Russia in referendums.
