The Czech Republic's visiting president says it's time for Ukraine to face reality: it won't be able to win decisively against Russia and it's time to negotiate to end the war — even if that meant giving up some territory for a time.
Petr Pavel, who was also the former chairperson of the NATO Military Committee, spoke to Q+A during his visit to New Zealand. Asked about the state of the conflict in Ukraine, Pavel said Russia had the slight upper hand.
Watch the full interview on TVNZ+
It would cost "too many Ukrainian lives" to push all Russian forces from Ukraine, the retired army general said.
"That's why I believe it's time for serious negotiations on how to stop the hostilities, how to start the peace process, and how to lead it in a way that, in the end, there is just peace for Ukraine.
"Even though part of Ukraine may be temporarily occupied, it shouldn't stop the West from integrating Ukraine into security and economic structures."
Asked if he accepted Ukraine giving up some annexed areas to Russia to end the war, Pavel said even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had thought about it.
Last week, for the first time since hostilities escalated in early 2022, Zelensky said he would be willing to cede some land in exchange for security guarantees under the "NATO umbrella". Zelensky said he would then try to get the territory back "in a diplomatic way".
Pavel, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, said: "He (Zelensky) understands that, realistically, there is very little chance that there can be any turn within the war that would push Russian forces out of the Ukrainian territory.
"So they understand that, at least for some time, part of the territory may remain occupied."
Pavel added it was important to note that "it's not a permanent concession of territory to Russia as Russia wants it to be".
He believed Ukraine would "eventually become a member of NATO".
"But, obviously, it is always conditions-based — a nation needs to meet a number of criteria to be in a position to join."
Given the years Ukraine would need to recover once the war was over, it could take years even if both NATO and Ukraine were willing, he said.
He said the decision should be Ukraine's alone, not Russia's.
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As for how the recent re-election of Donald Trump as US President could change the dynamics of the war, Pavel said it wasn't yet clear.
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
