Kyiv Mayor: War with Russia will end soon, but civil conflict may replace it

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko believes that the hostilities will end in a month or two with a certain compromise, and suggests that its conditions will not satisfy the majority of Ukrainian society, which, together with the election process, may lead to an intensification of conflict sentiments in the country, Informator reports.

Vitaly Klitschko spoke about his vision of the situation in the country during the forum "Democratic Resilience of Ukraine in the Period of War and Reconstruction", which is being held in Kyiv on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The main goal of the event, according to its organizers, is to intensify the discussion on the preservation of democratic processes in the country, and representatives of political parties, state institutions, civil society and international organizations.

Klitschko spoke on stage during a discussion on the future of the country after the probable end of hostilities in 2025. First of all, the mayor of Kiev predicted that the hostilities will end in a short time.

He is convinced that any compromise made in the name of peace will be perceived by Ukrainians as a defeat, and given that the country will embark on the path of elections immediately after the end of hostilities, this can lead to a shake-up of society. The mayor of Kiev is convinced that the accusations and the "game of destruction" of politicians can even lead to civil confrontation.

"We can model, I hope, the end of hostilities in a month or two. It is not clear under what conditions, but I am sure that this will hardly be positive. The so-called compromise could be very painful for every Ukrainian,“ commented Vitali Klitschko.

According to the policy, the social process will be fueled by the most active part of the population - the military, about a third of whom will return home immediately after the end of hostilities. But the main catalyst may be the electoral process, which will inevitably begin in the country. As the Ukrainian media has already reported, "the first election billboards have already appeared in Kiev, which is a direct sign of the activation of the political process in the capital".

"Pre-election issues are now beginning, elections in which I fear a life-and-death struggle. And the so-called compromise could be perceived very painfully in society - I don't know what it's about, but if something happens, each of us will be hurt. And at this moment there are elections, when all political forces are running with approximately the same slogans... I am very afraid that there will be unrest," Klitschko said.

The mayor reminded that in other countries, where the fighting has just ended, civil opposition has already begun. He predicted the same processes in Ukraine, "given the depressive mood" of society, and called on active civil society and all authorities to unite."