Zaluzhny described how the war might end

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Possible Scenarios for Ending the War in Ukraine

Valeriy Zaluzhny, the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, believes that the end of the war may occur without a victory or defeat for either side, which could give a chance for development.

Valeriy Zaluzhny, currently Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, emphasized in his column for LIGA.net that the end of the war, especially one that is wearing down both sides, depends entirely on a combination of factors in the military, economic, and political spheres. He noted that even a collapse on one of these fronts could only create preconditions for ending the conflict.

Zaluzhny underscores that the stability of the entire world structure requires a solid foundation in all areas. The quick emergence of peace in Ukraine, he says, could raise questions in Russia about losses in the war, as difficult to explain as corruption within Ukraine. Based on this, the situation in Russia may become a key element in ending the war, necessitating concessions or complete defeat for one of the sides.

The former commander-in-chief highlights that most wars end either in mutual defeat or in a state where both sides remain convinced of their victory. Zaluzhny believes that a victory for Ukraine would mean the collapse of the Russian Empire, while a defeat would mean the complete occupation of the country.

Despite the desire for a complete victory, Ukrainians cannot rule out the possibility of a long-term truce, which historically has been a common way to end conflicts. Zaluzhny stresses that peace in anticipation of the next war can create a chance for political changes, economic growth, and strengthening statehood through combating corruption and introducing innovations.