The former Commander of the AFU described possible scenarios for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. According to Valeriy Zaluzhny, peace, 'even in anticipation of the next war,' gives a chance for political changes and recovery.
Ukraine can conclude a peace agreement with Russia even if it does not achieve the 'complete victory' it strives for in the war, believes the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), current Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Valeriy Zaluzhny. In an op-ed for Liga.net published on Saturday, November 29, he described possible scenarios for ending the war, allowing for a freeze of hostilities for several years.
"We, Ukrainians, certainly strive for complete victory - the collapse of the Russian Empire. But we cannot exclude the option of a long-term (for years) cessation of the war, because this is a too common way of ending wars in history. At the same time, peace, even in anticipation of the next war, gives a chance for political changes, for deep reforms, for full recovery, economic growth, and the return of citizens," Zaluzhny writes.
He emphasized that the war cannot be ended 'under the pressure of the next information reasons.' The conclusion or cessation of the war, especially one that is being fought to exhaustion, 'will depend on a combination of achievements or losses on the military, economic, and political fronts,' the general noted, adding that a 'collapse' on one of these fronts 'can only create prerequisites for its conclusion.' At the same time, Zaluzhny acknowledges that in the proposed options for a peace agreement for Ukraine, 'the conditions do not get better each time.'
Most Wars in History 'Do Not End with the Victory of One Side'
According to the former Commander of the AFU, it is important to remember that 'war does not always end with the victory of one side and the defeat of another.' 'This was the case in World War II, but this is a rare exception, because it has almost never been the case in human history. The overwhelming majority of wars end either with mutual defeat, or each side is convinced that it has won, or other options,' notes Valeriy Zaluzhny.
By his definition, Ukrainian victory can only be the collapse of the modern Russian Empire, while defeat would be the complete occupation of Ukraine as a result of the internal collapse of the state. All other options he calls a continuation of the war in another form.
At the same time, upon achieving peace, 'one can even speak of the beginning of the formation of a safe, maximally protected state' thanks to innovations and technologies, about 'the formation and strengthening of the foundations of a just state through the fight against corruption and the establishment of a fair judiciary,' as well as about 'the economic development of the country, particularly based on international economic recovery programs,' the general points out.
