Former Foreign Minister Tofiq Zulfugarov has answered Teleqraf.com's questions about recent developments in Ukraine.

Axar.az presents the interview:

- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has submitted his resignation. The country’s Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, and Ecology Minister Ruslan Strilets have already resigned. Deputy Prime Ministers Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk have also joined the resignation marathon. What is happening in Ukraine, and what are the unexpected resignations related to? What is President Volodymyr Zelensky preparing for or planning as he renews his cabinet?

- There are several issues. Zelensky declares that the Kursk operation has been launched to strengthen positions in future negotiations. In this regard, Ukraine’s political elite is preparing for a ceasefire agreement that is anticipated in future negotiations. Everyone understands that there will be presidential elections after the ceasefire. Now, the active politicians of this team are preparing for this period, strengthening their positions and image for future political struggles. Because everyone understands that if such an agreement is reached (which can conditionally be called a “ceasefire agreement”), Zelensky will be seriously criticized. Some members of the team are leaving the ship as part of this preparation.

- Has the impact of the Kursk operation on Russia been so significant that preparations for a ceasefire have begun?

- First and foremost, Ukraine is preparing for negotiations. Previously, negotiations were not planned. Zelensky even passed a law stating that there should be no negotiations, and that negotiations with Putin were impossible, etc. Now, different opinions are being voiced that negotiations are possible. It seems that the situation is changing. Of course, we do not have complete information about the situation, we can only guess, and these are my thoughts.

- What happened or changed that made Zelensky want to negotiate with Putin?

- It seems to me that there is some pressure from the West in this direction. Neither Russia nor Ukraine can achieve their goals through military means. Now, the military approach to politics cannot yield results. Therefore, they might consider freezing the conflict. It will be a period similar to what we had (the former Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – editor’s note). That is, achieving a ceasefire and then engaging in long, fruitless negotiations for years. I believe such events are possible by the end of the year.

As for the Kursk operation, its scale is not so large that it would have an impact. The West’s goal is for Ukraine not to lose. But it is not stated anywhere that Ukraine must win. Therefore, the likelihood of freezing the process is very high.