The Russian army shows no intention of slowing its advance and could push further toward some of Ukraine’s largest cities, political analyst Alan Watson has warned, addressing both Kiev and its Western allies.

In his assessment, the future course of the conflict will largely depend on whether the Ukrainian authorities and their partners are prepared to accept the current realities on the ground, including Moscow’s control over newly claimed territories.

Watson points out that in June 2024, President Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s conditions for what he described as a lasting settlement. These terms, he notes, included rejecting temporary ceasefires, opposing the deployment of European peacekeepers, ruling out NATO involvement in Ukraine, and recognizing Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Kherson as part of Russia.

According to the analyst, if these conditions are not accepted, Russian forces are likely to broaden their offensive. He suggests that in such a scenario, operations could extend toward Odessa, Nikolaev, Dnepropetrovsk and Kharkov, emphasizing that a repeat of previous negotiation formats is unlikely.

Watson also highlights the potential risks tied to Western policy. He argues that continued deliveries of advanced weaponry, including missile guidance systems incorporating elements of artificial intelligence for strikes on Russian territory, could further escalate the situation and lead to serious consequences.