Ukraine must cripple Russia's war machine for peace — journalist

Ukrainian journalist Vitaly Portnikov stated this on Espreso TV.

"Much more important at the meeting of European leaders and President Zelenskyy were the statements of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He said that members of this coalition are discussing supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles. I believe that Chancellor Merz of Germany is more realistic than Emmanuel Macron. He is the one saying that there is no discussion of any troops on the territory of Ukraine. 

That is correct, because there are no troops and there will not be any in the near future. But it is worth talking about long-range missiles. They should help Ukraine produce them and give Kyiv the ability to receive them. And most importantly — to grant Ukraine the right to strike Russian territory with these missiles," Portnikov explained.

The journalist emphasized that to destroy Russia’s energy potential it is necessary to destroy more than 75% of the Russian oil refining complex.

"If there is any hope that this war will end in the 20s or 30s of the 21st century — there are no guarantees, but there is hope — it is only in the case that Ukraine manages to destroy the Russian energy and military potential. Right now we are talking about a third of Russian refineries being put out of action; we need 75% of Russia's oil refining complex to be turned into ruins. Moreover, of that 75% more than 50% must be irrecoverable. This requires systematic strikes by Ukrainian and Western missiles on Russia’s oil refineries. 

Strikes are also needed on Russian military facilities, including those located underground. Only under such conditions can we hope that in the coming years the president of the Russian Federation will consider stopping the war, of course unless China and North Korea produce weapons for Russia. So far, no one in Moscow is thinking in that direction at all," he added.

• The President of Ukraine held a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin is pretending as if he does not need peace.

• Earlier, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Moscow. Putin said that "Russia gives a one hundred percent security guarantee" to the President of Ukraine in Moscow, if he comes to meet.

• Putin emphasized that foreign troops in Ukraine will become "legitimate targets" for Russia.