Latest news with #Zaluzhnyi
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-army chief says Ukraine cannot hope for 'miracle' to restore 1991 borders
By Anastasiia Malenko KYIV (Reuters) -The former head of Ukraine's armed forces has said Kyiv cannot hope for a miracle to happen and regain all the territory it has lost at war with Russia. Valery Zaluzhnyi said in a speech that Ukraine should not dream of restoring either its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or the frontiers just before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. President Volodymr Zelenskiy wants the 1991 borders restored but acknowledges Ukraine cannot recapture all occupied land by force and that diplomacy and time will be needed. Russia occupied the Crimea peninsula in 2014 and annexed it in a move recognised by few countries. Its armed forces now control about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including large parts of eastern Ukraine. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022, and that there will be great happiness afterward," Zaluzhnyi, who was a popular commander-in-chief of the armed forces for the first two years of the war, said in a speech at a forum in Kyiv on Thursday. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations," he said in the speech, which was published by the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet on Friday. Zaluzhnyi, who is 51, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and Zelenskiy. He is now Ukraine's ambassador to London. There was no immediate comment by Zelenskiy's office on Zaluzhnyi's remarks. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to the 1991 borders, including Crimea. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko told the BBC last month that Ukraine may need to temporarily cede land as part of a peace deal with Russia. He said Zelenskiy might be forced to accept a "painful solution" to achieve peace although the Ukrainian people would never accept occupation by Russia. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for more than a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, Kyiv's only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of human resources, a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he said. "And in this situation, we need to understand that: Our financial and economic resources are limited; Our dependence on the help of our partners is absolutely obvious and this must be taken into account." Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi is still among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its timeframe.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine can only wage a 'high-tech war of survival' against Russia, Zaluzhnyi says
Ukraine cannot expect to return Russian-occupied territories as long as Moscow has the resources to continue its war, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the U.K., said on May 22. Speaking via video at a forum in Kyiv, Zaluzhnyi said that Ukraine can only wage a "high-tech war of survival" using a minimum of human and economic resources. "Ukraine is not capable of (fighting) another war in terms of demography and economy, and we shouldn't even entertain the thought," the ambassador added. According to Zaluzhnyi, the only way to win the war is to destroy Russia's military and economic potential to wage it. "I hope there is no one left in this hall still waiting for a miracle — for some white swan to bring peace to Ukraine, restore the borders of 1991 or 2022, and after that there will be great happiness in Ukraine," Zaluzhnyi said. He believes that as long as Russia has the resources, manpower, and capability to strike Ukrainian territory and launch offensives, it will continue to do so. Ukraine's leadership has consistently vowed to restore the country's 1991 borders, which includes the liberation of Crimea and parts of the Donbas occupied by Russia since 2014. After the failed 2023 counteroffensive and U.S.'s foreign policy shift this year, Kyiv adjusted its rhetoric. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this February that Russia has to pull back its troops to at least the front line as it was before the 2022 invasion. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war, further occupying territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as partially occupying territories in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Read also: Editorial: Russia just said it doesn't want peace. This is what you need to do We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says
(Reuters) -Ukraine should abandon any notion of restoring its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or even those dating from the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, the country's former military commander was quoted as saying on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to London, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward," the RBK Ukraine news site quoted Zaluzhnyi as telling a forum in Kyiv. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations." Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he was quoted as saying. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. With Trump attempting to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to launch direct talks with Russia but first wants a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Valerii Zaluzhnyi attends a presentation of Ukrainian military drones during a visit of British PM Starmer, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine January 16, Ratushniak/File Photo (Reuters) -Ukraine should abandon any notion of restoring its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or even those dating from the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, the country's former military commander was quoted as saying on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to London, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward," the RBK Ukraine news site quoted Zaluzhnyi as telling a forum in Kyiv. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations." Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he was quoted as saying. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. With Trump attempting to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to launch direct talks with Russia but first wants a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame. (Reporting by Ron PopeskiEditing by Rod Nickel)
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Valerii Zaluzhnyi attends a presentation of Ukrainian military drones during a visit of British PM Starmer, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine January 16, Ratushniak/File Photo Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says Ukraine should abandon any notion of restoring its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or even those dating from the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, the country's former military commander was quoted as saying on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to London, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward," the RBK Ukraine news site quoted Zaluzhnyi as telling a forum in Kyiv. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations." Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he was quoted as saying. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. With Trump attempting to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to launch direct talks with Russia but first wants a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
