On February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Oleksandr Slyvchuk, Coordinator of the Spain and Latin America Cooperation Program, appeared on the Spanish television channel Antena 3. During the interview, he discussed the challenges of securing a lasting peace, Russia’s long-term strategic objectives, and the geopolitical implications for Europe and the United States.
Slyvchuk emphasized that the idea of a negotiated peace remains highly sensitive in Ukraine. A settlement that involves territorial concessions would not bring long-term stability but rather a temporary pause before further aggression. He pointed out that Russia’s objective is not limited to controlling specific regions such as Donetsk or Luhansk but rather eliminating Ukraine’s sovereignty altogether. From Ukraine’s perspective, any agreement that allows Russia to maintain occupied territories would only reinforce its belief that military force can achieve political objectives, setting a dangerous precedent for future conflicts.
Discussing Russia’s broader ambitions, he underscored that Moscow’s ultimate goal remains the subjugation of Ukraine as a dependent state under its influence. In the already occupied areas, there is clear evidence of systematic human rights violations, including forced deportations and repression of Ukrainian identity. He argued that if Ukraine were to lose this war, the consequences would extend far beyond its borders, bringing Russian military forces directly to the frontiers of the European Union and creating an even more significant security challenge for Europe.
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