He said achieving peace depends on Russia and its internal political processes.
“We are very far from peace. It depends on Russia. From the internal environment of Russia – a change of power, riots, big losses can force us to sit down at the negotiating table,” Maklakov said.
He added that there is currently no indication that anything may change in Russia’s domestic environment. Russia has also mobilized, a decision has been made to increase the army, and there is also talk of increasing the military industry.
Winter conditions have brought changes to the war, but there is still active fighting at strategic points like Bakhmut, which Russia wants to capture. Maklakov noted that Russia is more actively using drones in warfare to destroy Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
“It is clearly aimed at undermining Ukrainian morale, the will to fight. Russia’s actions show that they will not end the war,” the former NBS commander said.
Russia, however, is increasingly recognizing the hardships of war. At the same time, he is ready to talk about ending the war only on the conditions that he himself set at the beginning of the war.
Maklakov also believes that Belarus’ involvement in active hostilities is questionable. “It could destroy her completely [Aleksandra Lukašenko] power This is what he fears the most. This is what does not provide this opportunity. The nation is not ready for war,” the expert said.
According to him, Ukraine acted very successfully in the war. Maklakov praised Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s ability to unite the nation and acquire weapons for his army.
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