Zelensky's military adviser: Ukraine will win back Donbas in five years
In an interview with the news agency Apostrophe, Ivan Aparshyn, adviser to Ukraine’s President-elect Vladimir Zelensky on issues of security and defense said that Kyiv could win back the Donbas within five years.
“Regarding the return of Crimea and the Donbas. If the Donbas is a goal for five years, then the territory of Crimea is a more distant goal.”
While discussing the situation, Aparshyn noted that he does not believe these territories can be returned through military means. According to him, if a military operation would take place, there would be huge losses. He added that “2014 was a missed opportunity”. According to Aparshyn, Kyiv’s partners would turn away from Ukraine if it were to start such an operation.
In April, Zelensky announced that he opposed granting special status to the Donbas. He expressed the hope that residents of the self-proclaimed DPR and the LPR could be won back “informationally”. He also noted that it was necessary to enforce a cease fire along the line of contact and reinstate social benefits in the Donbas.