US Senate Armed Services Committee chair sees no end to war through Ukraine relinquishing sovereign territories

U.S. Republican Senator Roger Wicker, the chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his belief that the war in Ukraine will not conclude without Ukraine giving up its sovereign territories. During a press conference in Kyiv on Friday, Wicker spoke about the situation with Interfax-Ukraine correspondent. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be able to defeat the Ukrainian people in either the current year or the next.

Wicker argued that Putin might make life unbearable for Ukrainians if given the chance, but he believed that was the Russian leader's intention. He noted that winter was approaching and recalled how difficult conditions had been for Ukrainians the previous year due to Russian attacks. Wicker mentioned that while it was unclear how challenging conditions would be, Putin aimed to intensify suffering among civilians.

This could include power outages, lack of heating and light, and targeting the water supply system. Ukrainians did not desire such conditions but were prepared to endure them, according to Wicker. Given the events of recent years and the current circumstances, he did not foresee an end to the war that would involve Ukraine surrendering territories seized as a result of an invasion, which Wicker described as a violation of international law.