This interview discusses Russia's national strategy in the war against Ukraine and the prospects for ending the conflict. Publicist and journalist Vitaliy Portnikov analyzes the current state of negotiations, emphasizing that Russia seeks not just a ceasefire but a peace agreement on its own terms. According to Portnikov, the Kremlin's goal goes beyond territorial control and includes the destruction of Ukrainian statehood and identity.
Portnikov elaborates on Russian policy tactics—from diplomacy to force—and stresses that formal negotiations could last for decades without real resolution. He cites examples such as Israel, Japan, and Korea, where only diplomatic relations have managed longstanding conflicts.
The importance of Western support and the roles of the United States and Europe are separately highlighted. Portnikov notes that Ukraine's resilience largely depends on Western backing, while Europeans might underestimate Russia's threat to identity and values.
The interview also covers Russia's informational influence through culture, propaganda, and diplomacy. Special attention is paid to the marginalization of the Russian language in Ukraine, the need for stronger state policy on developing Ukrainian culture and language, and the importance of confidently presenting Ukrainian cultural heritage to the world.
Portnikov concludes that Russia's long-term struggle for influence involves ideological, political, economic, and informational expansion, and only joint efforts by Ukrainian society and Western partners can contain this pressure and preserve Ukrainian statehood.
