Oh no, not Zelensky, patron saint of Ukraine and the CIA.
No biggie, just ask them not to look.
Ukrainians sticking to the no negotiating route, while also downplaying a spring offensive and
declaring Russia has succeeded. Ok.
Quote:
Now they are at a historic point," he said. "They wanted this, and they have it. Obviously, the Kerch Strait Bridge cannot serve 2 million-plus people," he added, referring to the bridge connecting Crimea to Russia that was built after Moscow annexed the peninsula in 2014.
"Obviously, geographically it has no connection to the Russian Federation. They needed water, and they needed a big electricity station which will supply the whole region."
"I said from the very beginning, that's what Russia actually wanted and why they would have attacked us," the ambassador added. "They might not have gone all the way in [to Kyiv]. They actually did, because they saw the opportunity. But they didn't have to."
Prystaikowho was instrumental in the negotiation of the Minsk accords that temporarily put an end to fighting after Russia's annexation of Crimea and invasion of parts of eastern Ukrainesaid nine years of war in the east might be serving as a "diversion" to retain Crimea.
"All of this eastern campaign, it could be just one big diversion from Crimea, a purely racketeering move," the diplomat said. "It just might be that the Russians will be satisfied with the Crimea peninsula."
Zelensky's government has made clear there is no hope of renewed peace talks while Russians remain on Ukrainian territory. Military planners in Kyiv will be hoping that the coming offensive sets the stage for a Russian collapse and Ukrainian victory later this year, though all signals from Moscow indicate Putin is settling in for a long war.
"We cannot negotiate with these people," Prystaiko said, recalling his own experience of dealing with Russian envoys during the Minsk peace process "All the cards are on the table right now."