Russian war correspondent Alexander Sladkov argues that Russia’s victory in the special military operation will not drag on for years but will come suddenly, as a fait accompli. In his view, Ukraine will disappear from the political map in the course of an ongoing global redivision of spheres of influence.

Speaking on Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda, Sladkov said he sees European leaders «running around» trying to secure a place among those who will be shaping the new order, but not being allowed into that circle. From this, he concludes that «the world is being divided today» and that Russians will not immediately grasp the scale of the outcome once it is announced, but that the victory itself will be abrupt.

Sladkov cited backstage episodes from the G20 summit, claiming that European politicians were crowding around Russia’s representative Maksim Oreshkin and asking for joint projects, effectively brushing aside their own blockade rhetoric. He described the situation as one where, as he put it, «they are already pushing their way in — we show them the door, they climb back in through the window». According to him, final peace arrangements will be formalised with the key participation of China, India, BRICS countries and the SCO, while European states in this new configuration will be left with what he metaphorically calls «chairs along the wall».

Earlier, Sladkov maintained that Western countries tried to crush Russia with sanctions because they feared a strong market and economic competitor, but ended up facing what he calls a «super-competitor» — a state with one of the most combat-ready armies and a powerful military-industrial complex. He characterised Western politicians in this context as acting foolishly.