GENEVA, February 3. /TASS/. The West is close to a war with Russia as it can’t allow Ukraine to be defeated because its global prestige would take a hit as a result, Gerard Araud, a former ambassador of France to the US, said in an interview with the Swiss RTS television channel on Friday.
"We are really very close to a war with Russia," he said. "We are on the side of Ukraine to such an extent that we can no longer accept the defeat of Ukraine."
"A defeat for Ukraine would be a defeat for the West and an incredible loss of prestige before the rest of the world," Araud, who is also a former French envoy to the UN, went on to say.
When asked whether Kiev can win, he said, "Most military experts say, given the balance of power, that they don’t see Ukraine really inflicting a decisive defeat on Russia."
Speaking about the outlook for the situation, he said. "Because the West won’t tolerate a victory by Russia, we are facing the prospect of an extended war."
According to Araud, "the issue of talks isn’t something both countries are considering today" and that means "a period of several weeks or more of fierce fighting" is to be expected.