Lubkivskyy: Russia wants economic collapse of Ukraine rather then military victory

Russia is more interested in the economic collapse of Ukraine, which would undermine the whole country rather than even in the local military victory in the Donbass, which will give the Kremlin a new territory, which will become only a burden, said Danylo Lubkivskyy, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2014), during the 8th Kyiv Security Forum organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

"Putin needs the economic collapse of Ukraine even more than a military victory. In such case he will be able can do away with all the responsibility. Economic, social tensions will undermine the whole Ukraine. Military victory would give him control over only part of the territory that will become a burden in future that Russia will not be able to take upon,"- he said.

However, D.Lubkivskyy believes that Russia "will continue to advance, as it declared and demonstrated repeatedly". He noted that about 40 thousands of Russian military servicemen are deployed in Ukraine and new heavy weapons are being delivered.

"Putin has changed his tactics, but strategy remains the same. Putin is not afraid to use a variety of tools, including military force. And it gives him a certain advantage - an advantage of the first one. And he acts quite effectively, undermining confidence, creating the illusion that there are two alternative paths, two truths,"- said the adviser.

For your information:
The annual international event ‘Kyiv Security Forum’, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation in 2007 is a platform for discussion of the most pressing issues concerning the security in Europe and the Black Sea region. The Forum is aimed at promoting security cooperation between the European Union and the Black Sea Region, raising awareness of the development of security among key players and strengthening the role of independent and non-governmental actors in solving security problems in Europe.