To date, the Kremlin does not show "the slightest" signs that it intends to turn off the hybrid war against Ukraine; the prospect of Putin's troops leaving directly depends on Ukraine.

This opinion was expressed to the "Observer" by the Russian journalist Igor Yakovenko.

Commenting on the words of Deputy Minister for the issues of temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons of Ukraine Yuri Grymchak about the return of control over the occupied territories of the east of Ukraine already in 2018, the journalist noted: "I do not have data on the withdrawal of troops, I do not have data on the Kremlin's plan, and all , which I can say, stems from the current state of Russian media and the statements of the heads of the Russian state. There is not the slightest indication that the draft of this aggressive hybrid war with Ukraine will be curtailed. Not the slightest sign of ".

In his opinion, on the eve of the presidential elections in Russia, or "Putin's reassignment to the kingdom," "I can not imagine how this will be played out in domestic politics". "It's hard to imagine how this will be combined with such an obvious recognition of his defeat as withdrawal from the Donbass".

"I would like to be mistaken, but so far everything that's happening demonstrates a complete determination to remain. It is clear that no one will go to Kiev, it is clear that the expansion of the seized territory, most likely, will not happen either - it is not necessary for anyone. But from my point of view, Putin will not give away the seized territory. For a lot of reasons, "Yakovenko said..

In particular, this is the unpreparedness of the Kremlin's "maintenance staff," which often plays the role of a "tail wagging a dog," as well as the presence in the country of a "media-electoral dictatorship" that will not tolerate "surrender of Donbass".

Proceeding from this, the journalist came to the conclusion: "The question of the withdrawal of Putin's troops from the territory of Ukraine is a question of the victory of the Ukrainian army, and nothing else. The Ukrainian army must become so strong, and Russia must become so weak, so immersed in its internal problems that it becomes a real obvious victory, or the actual victory of the Ukrainian army. I do not see any other option ".