JAKARTA - Ukraine must abandon any idea to restore its borders that were built with the collapse of the 1991 Soviet Union government or even those originating from the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022, the former commander-in-chief of the country said on Thursday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and other community leaders have long called for the expulsion of Russian troops and the return of the 1991 post-Soviet Ukrainian border, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
However, due to efforts over the past few months focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, Kyiv's public statement became more moderate in terms of territorial surrender.
"I hope no one in this room is still hoping for some kind of magic or fortune that will bring peace to Ukraine, the 1991 or 2022 border and that there will be great joy afterward," Valery Zaluzhnyi said.
"My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, troops and facilities to carry out attacks on our territory and try certain offensive operations," he explained.
Zaluzhnyi further said Russia had waged a year-long friction war and, given Ukraine's smaller troops and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope is to rely on advanced technology.
"We can only talk about a high-tech survival war, using minimum economic means to achieve maximum benefits," he said.
Zaluzhnyi, now the Ukrainian Ambassador to Britain, was removed from the post of commander-in-chief in February 2024 after months of disputes with President Zelensky.
The poll showed Zaluzhnyi to be one of the most popular public figures among Ukrainians. The poll also showed President Zelensky's rankings have increased since his confrontation with US President Donald Trump at a meeting at the White House in February.
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With President Trump trying to pressure Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to start direct negotiations with Russia but wants a ceasefire that lasts at least 30 days.
Meanwhile, the European Union, as Russia has not reached an agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow.
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