Russia-Ukraine War Update: UK's Boris Johnson Says The End Is Not In Sight

After nearly two months of fighting, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has shared a grim prediction regarding the potential end of the Russian-Ukraine war, sharing that the battle is unlikely to end anytime in the foreseeable future.

During a press conference in India, Johnson was asked about recent comments from western officials that suggested Russia could achieve victory despite blunders, which was when he suggested that not only could the aggressor country still win, but that there was a real chance the war could be stretched out for some time to come.

“The sad thing is, that is a realistic possibility,” he said, according to Business Insider.

Though Russia has underestimated the Ukrainian army, they are still predicted to win the war due to intimidation tactics, as well as policies that have led to allegations of genocide and war crimes. The country also has a military whose sheer scale and size make it a harder war for Ukraine to win.

"The only option [Putin] now has really is to continue to try to use his appalling, grinding approach — led by artillery — trying to grind the Ukrainians down. And he's very close to securing a land bridge in Mariupol," Johnson added.

Johnson did however also point out the “incredible heroism and the Ukrainians and their willingness to fight,” noting that the endurance of the Ukrainian military, the resilience of its people and Putin’s strategic blunders do also make the conflict unpredictable. He also noted that monetary and military aid and Western support could also have a large impact on how the conflict continues to play out.

"No matter what military superiority Vladimir Putin may be able to bring to bear in the next few months — and I agree it could be a long period — he will not be able to conquer the spirit of the Ukrainian people . . . what he is doing every day is strengthening and reinforcing that will to resist in the people of Ukraine," Johnson said.

The U.K.'s Prime Minister acknowledged that the war could last until the end of 2023, but it is hard for anyone to pinpoint an exact time for the war to end and what peace, ceasefire, or an end to the war would mean or ideally look like for either side.