Senior Ukrainian Intelligence Official: Negotiations Needed to End War with Russia

A senior Ukrainian intelligence official stated in an interview on Thursday, May 2, that Ukraine must eventually enter negotiations to end its more than two-year war with Russia. Reuters noted that Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has repeatedly rejected negotiations with Russia, deeming them impossible under the circumstances where the Kremlin officially annexed four regions of Ukraine in 2022. According to the report, General Vadym Skibitsky, Deputy Head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence, told The Economist that ultimately, like any war, dialogue will be necessary, adding that he does not see a prospect for Ukraine to win alone. He pointed out that 'such wars only end with a treaty' and added, 'Currently, both sides are striving for the most advantageous position before potential negotiations.' According to Reuters, this Ukrainian intelligence official speculates that negotiations will only begin in the second half of next year. Additionally, Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have stated that Russia has not been invited to the 'peace summit' in Switzerland planned for June, as there is no assurance that Moscow would act in good faith. In this regard, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, stated in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine that the goal of the June summit is 'to unite countries that share common principles and approaches and will take further actions based on them.' He added, 'After that, contact with Russia may be established, and Russia could be part of the negotiations. Because you are right: ultimately, you cannot end a war without both sides.' Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and other senior Russian officials claim that Ukraine blocks any attempts at resolution. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said on Thursday that the June summit cannot be 'a serious conference with serious expectations for achieving some kind of result' without Russia's participation. According to Reuters, Zelensky described the June summit in his evening video address on Thursday as 'the first real opportunity to begin the phase of establishing a just peace' and stated, 'All our positions, whether on the battlefield, in diplomacy, or in the information sphere, must be uniform and equally strong.' Russia has occupied parts of Ukraine following its invasion on February 24, 2022. NATO reported an increase in 'hybrid attacks' by Russia on member countries in Europe. A Russian missile attack on the port of Odesa in Ukraine resulted in three deaths. Estonia reported that Russia has jeopardized flight security in the Baltic region by disrupting GPS. A Russian missile attack on a training center in the port of Odesa left four dead. The NATO Secretary-General in Kyiv stated that the weapons and ammunition sent to Ukraine will soon increase. Zelensky has once again called for Ukraine's accession to the European Union and NATO. The United States has sanctioned 300 individuals and entities in relation to support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.