In an exclusive interview to journalist Pavel Zarubin on Jan. 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine could be ended in a month or two. “I think that if [Ukraine] runs out of money and, broadly speaking, ammunition, everything will end in a month, a month-and-a-half, or two. In this sense, Ukraine’s sovereignty is almost zero.”
Putin reiterated Russia’s conditions for resolving the conflict, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territories of the D.P.R., L.P.R., Kherson and Zaporozhye, and Ukraine’s abandonment of plans to join NATO. He also referenced Zelenskyy’s decree banning negotiations with Russia. In order for negotiations to begin, the decree would have to be canceled, he said. He indicated, however, that Zelenskyy is not officially President, as there have been no new elections since his term had ended. So he could probably not revoke the decree, but it would have to be done by the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada legislature. “When the current head of the regime, as he can only be called today, signed this decree, he was a relatively legitimate President, but now he cannot cancel it because he is illegitimate,” said Putin. He said he has seen no sign as yet that the Rada is willing to take the necessary steps leading to negotiations.