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He also warns that the war could drag on until 2034.
He also warns that the war could drag on until 2034.
What is happening?
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the U.K., has issued a sobering forecast:
Russia’s war on Ukraine might not end until 2034.
A War That Began in 2014 May Stretch Two Decades
“The war started in 2014—God willing, it will end in 2034,” Zaluzhnyi told Ukrainian outlet LB.ua on July 23.
His comment underscores the enduring nature of the conflict, which has evolved far beyond the full-scale invasion that began in 2022.
2024 Marked a Turning Point
Zaluzhnyi believes 2024 represents a radical shift in how the war is being fought.
According to him, Ukraine is no longer facing conventional offensives, but a more calculated campaign of attrition designed to drain both military and civilian endurance.
Russia Swaps Blitz Offensives for a War of Attrition
Gone are the dramatic tank-led charges of earlier years. Now, Zaluzhnyi says, Russia uses more cautious tactics, prioritizing human and equipment preservation while aiming to wear down Ukrainian resolve.
“The front line exists mainly for killing,” he observed starkly.
Civilian Suffering a Deliberate Part of Russia’s Strategy
This attritional warfare isn’t just military. Russia’s shift targets Ukraine’s population, economy, and morale.
By dragging out the conflict and avoiding massive losses, Moscow hopes to fracture Ukraine from within and discourage international support.
Ukraine Needs a New Defense and Mobilization Plan
To counter these evolving threats, Zaluzhnyi stressed the urgent need for Kyiv to modernize its defense strategy and revamp its mobilization efforts.
Without such reforms, he warned, Ukraine could be outmaneuvered due to its demographic and economic vulnerabilities.
Peace Talks Falter Again in Turkey
Just a day after Zaluzhnyi’s remarks, Ukrainian and Russian envoys met in Turkey for a third round of peace talks.
The meeting was brief—lasting under an hour—and ended with no progress toward a lasting resolution.
Russia’s Offer: Short Ceasefires, No End in Sight
Moscow offered only limited, 24–48-hour ceasefires to collect casualties—far from the full, unconditional ceasefire Ukraine has repeatedly sought.
Putin Holds Out for a West Friendly to Moscow’s Terms
According to sources cited by Reuters, President Vladimir Putin remains committed to prolonging the war until Western powers are ready to accept terms that favor Moscow.
Ukraine Must Fight a High-Tech, Long-Haul War
Speaking in May, Zaluzhnyi emphasized that Ukraine’s only path to victory lies in a “high-tech war of survival.”
That means dismantling Russia’s capacity to wage war—not just militarily, but economically and strategically—for the long term.
