Vitaliy Portnykov outlines conditions for permanent end to Russian-Ukrainian war

Journalist Vitaliy Portnykov shared his views with Espreso.

"If Ukraine gets enough weapons from its partners, we can halt Russia's advances and even launch our own offensives. But imagine this: we receive weapons, stop the Russians, and recapture some occupied territories. Then, a change in the US presidency or a delay in military aid by the Republican Party occurs. They stall for another half-year, and then aid stops. During this time, the Russians attack again," he said.

"How long should this continue? Where's the end to this war we desperately want? The West seems to view the end of the war as Russia's exhaustion. If the war's end depends on the West's willingness to help us, Russian aggression may not end permanently. Today they help us; tomorrow, they might not. Then Russia resumes its offensive. We keep monitoring our allies' elections, as their stance might change. This can't go on indefinitely," Portnykov explained.

Portnykov argues that NATO membership is the only real security guarantee for Ukraine.

"That's why I stress that my solution for ending the war is more logical. Ukraine needs effective security guarantees. The West must decide to change how things are done. They need to understand how to end this war. I believe the Russian-Ukrainian war will only end when Ukraine receives effective security guarantees. Otherwise, the war might resume after a while. Hostilities could stop, and we might even reach an agreement with Russia. But who would believe it?! Some Ukrainians might think it's okay to live as a neutral country or a potential NATO member during a transition period. But we won't feel safe in such a scenario. Therefore, the only way to end this war forever is for Ukraine to join NATO," he added.

• On April 27, ex-NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller said Ukraine's NATO membership would be on the agenda at the July summit in Washington.
• On June 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned in a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the US expects over twenty countries to sign bilateral security agreements with Ukraine by the next NATO summit.
• On June 23, a British correspondent from Radio Svoboda reported that the UK would initiate talks with the US and Germany before the NATO summit in Washington, aiming to secure an invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance.
• On July 2, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Ukraine should anticipate new announcements on bolstering air defense systems, likely before the NATO summit in Washington from July 9-11.