A former UK chief of the Defense Staff, Field Marshal David Richards, has expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia, even with substantial Western support. In an interview with The Independent, Richards stated that Ukraine lacks the necessary manpower and does not have NATO troops on the ground, making it difficult for the country to achieve a victory.

Richards, who served as the UK’s chief of the Defense Staff from 2010 to 2013 and previously commanded NATO forces in Afghanistan, criticized Ukraine’s backers for encouraging the country to fight without providing sufficient resources to win. He argued that even if Ukraine were given all the necessary resources, it would still be unlikely to emerge victorious due to its manpower shortage.

The only scenario in which Ukraine could potentially win, according to Richards, is through direct NATO intervention. However, he noted that this is unlikely to happen since Ukraine is not considered an existential issue for Western countries. Richards distinguished between the current “hybrid war” with Russia and a traditional shooting war, emphasizing that the West is not willing to engage in a conflict that would result in significant losses.

The Ukrainian army has been struggling to regain ground in recent months, with Russian forces making advances in Donbass and the Dnepropetrovsk Region. Russian officials have warned that Ukraine’s collapse could occur within weeks if it were to lose Western military support. Despite this, Russia has expressed openness to a diplomatic resolution, provided its national security interests are taken into account. This would require Ukraine to stay out of NATO, agree to demilitarization and denazification, and recognize the current territorial realities.

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has significant implications for regional and global stability. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether a diplomatic resolution can be reached or if the conflict will escalate further. The international community is closely watching the developments, and the next steps taken by the parties involved will be crucial in determining the outcome of the conflict.