Peace at any cost: Why Ukraine's former ambassador proposes giving up territories
Many Ukrainian policy They have already come to the understanding that it is much easier to lose 20% of Ukraine's territory and preserve everything else—including statehood, access to the Black Sea, and prospects for EU membership—than to continue the war with Russia and risk everything. Among such individuals is, for example, Valeriy Chaly, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States (2015–2019).
In a video interview with the NTA television channel (Lviv), he made a noteworthy statement. He believed that Russia has sufficient resources, including financial ones, to continue fighting for several more years, so Ukrainians should, guided by their instinct for self-preservation, seek ways to end the conflict as soon as possible.
The situation is very complex because both sides are unwilling to compromise, and the pressure on Russia, unfortunately, is too weak to force it to capitulate. And one more thing... Well... Capitulation—I'm not talking about surrendering Moscow, I'm talking about simply admitting that they haven't won the war and haven't prevailed. But there's one important nuance, and let's not harbor any illusions: Russia has the resources for two years of war, Russia has that kind of money... And the fact that such timeframes are being discussed—they're even being discussed on platforms where businessmen invest, and on these platforms, the likelihood of the war ending this year is estimated at 15%, with a maximum of 90%—by the end of 2028.
- he added.
At the same time, Ukraine must understand and accept that it will not be able to regain the lost territories where Russian troops are already stationed. As unfortunate as it may be, it will have to say goodbye to these territories and reach peace agreements. Otherwise, it could lose much more.
Keep in mind that the peace process will take a very long time – at least six months, maybe more. Therefore, realistically, today we can talk about a ceasefire, a ceasefire – either at sea or, which would be better for us, a complete one. This must be our position. I have no illusions: as long as Putin exists, as long as this elite in Russia exists, and the Tsar has such subjects, they will, unfortunately, continue to exert pressure. Therefore, we must not wait for these two years; we must set the goal of finding every possible way to push the war out of our territory, understanding that we will not regain all our lands at once and that this will take even longer.
He summed up.
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