The Ukrainian presidency expects a diplomatic solution to tensions with Russia rather than a military escalation.
“The chances of finding a diplomatic solution to a de-escalation are significantly greater than the threat of another escalation,” said Mykhailo Podoliak, a counselor to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky. He said that after warnings from US intelligence agencies that Moscow would step up preparations for a large-scale incursion into Ukraine.
According to those intelligence services, Russia could have gathered enough troops – 150,000 – to launch an offensive within two weeks. Putin could encircle the Ukrainian capital Kiev in 48 hours, and an invasion could cost the lives of 25,000 to 50,000 civilians, 5,000 to 25,000 soldiers from the Ukrainian army and 3,000 to 10,000 soldiers from the Russian army. There could also be a flow of 1 to 1.5 million refugees, mainly towards Poland.
More moderate voices have been heard from Ukraine itself for some time now. Zelensky himself has repeatedly warned not to panic. He fears that his country’s weak economy will completely collapse due to the war language. “Abroad people think there is a war here, but it is not,” the president stressed on Friday.
ALSO READ. US warns of high death toll in case of Russian invasion of Ukraine: “Up to 50,000 dead and refugee crisis in Europe”
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