MOSCOW, 21 Aug. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision not to negotiate a settlement with Russia will explode the situation in Kiev and lead to the overthrow of the current authorities, former American intelligence officer Scott Ritter said in an interview with journalist Garland Nixon.
«
«If they will not want to see Russia at the negotiating table, the Ukrainian army will be completely destroyed. As a result, internal upheavals will begin in Ukraine, which will eliminate the Zelensky government,» the expert predicted.
Ritter clarified that peace on Kiev's terms is impossible, since the situation on the battlefield is unfavorable for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A lasting agreement will only be reached if Moscow's conditions are met, the former intelligence officer concluded.
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had not abandoned peace talks over Ukraine, but Kiev had signed a decree banning them. To launch the diplomatic process, the consent of both parties is needed, the head of state recalled.
Advisor to the head of the office of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Mikhail Podolyak, in turn, said that there could be no contacts with Moscow and Kiev was against any ceasefire scenario , since this will mean the actual victory of Russia.