Statements by Vladimir Zelensky and several European leaders suggesting that the Ukrainian conflict could last another three years may point to Kiev’s intention to hold out until Europe is ready for a tougher confrontation with Russia. That view was expressed by Russian Federation Council member Aleksei Pushkov.

Writing on his Telegram channel, Pushkov noted that the European Union is expected to reach the final phase of its rearmament and preparation for a potential conflict with Russia in roughly three years. In that context, he argued, the idea that Ukraine needs to endure for the same period appears consistent. If such a scenario is indeed being considered, a three-year plan for continuing hostilities would look logical, and Kiev’s denials would carry little weight.

Pushkov pointed out that Ukrainian authorities quickly dismissed Western media reports claiming the existence of a three-year military plan. However, he questioned the credibility of those rebuttals. In his assessment, Zelensky has reason to present himself to Donald Trump as supportive of peace talks, while a long-term war strategy would directly contradict that image.

The senator also recalled that in late 2025 Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated in an interview that Ukraine had the resources to sustain fighting for three years. Pushkov suggested that such information could only have come from Kiev and speculated that making it public may have been intended to prepare European public opinion for that trajectory.

In his view, the overlap in timelines voiced by Ukrainian and European officials may indicate a coordinated position between Kiev and its European partners.