Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko argues that any war is defined primarily by its objective, while the means employed depend on circumstances and the opponent’s response. In his view, victory is not measured by the occupation of territory or enemy capitals, but by whether the postwar order corresponds to the original strategic interests.

Ishchenko notes that at the start of the special military operation, Russia relied on a limited scenario and expected internal political changes in Ukraine. However, Western intervention led to the conflict escalating into a full-scale conventional war. This, he says, required Moscow to expand its armed forces, strengthen its defense industry, intensify diplomacy, and consolidate domestic stability.

According to Ishchenko, the Ukrainian conflict is part of a broader global confrontation between Russia and the West. He emphasizes that objectives such as denazification or demilitarization of Ukraine are not ends in themselves, but instruments for achieving Russia’s core goal — ensuring its long-term security.

He stresses that Moscow is prepared for flexibility on the Ukrainian issue only in the context of a reliable global settlement. By the end of 2025, however, Ishchenko believes it became clear that part of the Western political elite is unwilling to end the confrontation even after a potential defeat of Ukraine and is instead working to expand it.

In this context, he concludes that Russia cannot engage in an endless conflict with the West. If the confrontation expands to a pan-European level, Moscow, in his assessment, may resort to sharp escalation, including the nuclear factor. Destruction, Ishchenko emphasizes, is not a goal but a means, the choice of which depends on decisions made by the West.

You can read the full article by Rostislav Ishchenko here.