Deputy Director of the General Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadim Skibitsky said that Russia has a ‘3-layer plan’ to destabilize Ukraine in May.
Sharing in an interview with British magazine The Economist on May 2, Mr. Skibitsky said that May will be an important month when Russia implements its “3-layer plan”.
According to him, the first layer is military. Although the US Congress has approved an additional military aid package for Ukraine, it will be several weeks before the weapons can reach the front lines. According to him, these weapons can hardly compare with Russia’s artillery ammunition arsenal, or provide effective defense against destructive guided bombs.
Ukraine’s intelligence general predicts that negotiations to end the conflict with Russia could take place in the second half of 2025. Photo: Business Standard
The second layer is Russia’s campaign to spread false information in Ukraine to undermine Ukraine’s military mobilization, and the political legitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Nominally, Mr. Zelensky’s presidential term will end on May 20, but the Ukrainian Constitution allows for an indefinite extension during wartime.
Mr. Skibitsky added that the third layer is Russia’s relentless campaign to isolate Ukraine in the international arena. “They will turn everything upside down in any way they can,” Mr. Skibitsky emphasized.
In addition, Mr. Skibitsky also said that at some point, Ukraine will have to participate in negotiations with Russia to end the conflict that has lasted more than 2 years. He said negotiations would be as necessary as any war.
“General Skibitsky said he did not see any way for Ukraine to win on the battlefield. Even if they could push Russian forces back to the border, which is an increasingly remote prospect, they would not finish conflict,” wrote The Economist magazine.
“Such wars can only end with treaties. Currently, both sides are jostling for the ‘most advantageous position’ ahead of potential negotiations. Mr. Skibitsky predicts that meaningful negotiations can only begin as early as the second half of 2025,” the British magazine said.
