Putin wanted to attack on February 16, but was almost persuaded to agree to a peaceful path - ex-leader of the Ukrainian Security Service Malomuzh

Mykola Malomuzh, the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, said this on Espreso.

"Putin's main mistake is that he went to Ukraine. We clearly talked about this at the negotiating platforms. There were two negotiation processes. The first was before the start of hostilities and the invasion through an unofficial channel. Putin's concept was as follows - on the one hand, a war that really supported the militarist wing in his environment. On the other hand, the gradual subjugation of Ukraine through the formation of the political opposition, economic pressure, and informational formation of pro-Russian forces," he said.

According to Malomuzha, Putin was preparing for the offensive on February 16.

"Through various operational channels, Putin was persuaded not to go with the military option, he gave in, but within 3-4 days the militarist wing said that they would solve the issue in 3-4 days. He was inclined to believe that the operation should be carried out because it would be quick - "the people of Ukraine waiting for Putin and the leadership of the state and the armed forces are not capable of organizing defense." It did not work, complete disinformation and disorientation and this is the main strategic failure of Putin in the future and in relation to Russia and himself. He believed in his ambitions, but it did not work," concluded the ex-leader.