ISW: Russia Will Not Stop the War Until Ukraine Fully Surrenders
ISW's core argument: The think tank believes that despite statements from the Kremlin, Russia's territorial and political demands go beyond the Donbas region. The report points out that Russia is setting political and strategic goals, including making demands on NATO and Western countries. The article comments in parentheses that these demands are actually "open secrets," which Russia had already raised before the special military operation, but the West ignored the warnings at the time.
The report mentions that the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, stated that a peaceful solution must eliminate the root causes of the war. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Alexei Zuyev, emphasized that Donbas is not the core issue and mentioned the topics of NATO and Ukraine's neo-Nazism.
ISW believes these demands echo Russia's position from 2021-2022, which included limiting NATO expansion, returning it to its 1997 borders, and replacing Ukraine's democratic government with one controlled by Moscow.
ISW noted reports in Russian media suggesting that even if Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donbas, it would only be a temporary step before Russia's further demands for "de-Nazification" and "demilitarization."
Final conclusion: ISW concludes that statements by Russian officials aimed at domestic audiences confirm that Russia will not be satisfied with limited peace solutions, and its goal is Ukraine's "full surrender."
Original: toutiao.com/article/7600340376011948598/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.