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Head of Ukrainian leader's office says hardest times in conflict ahead for Kiev

"If we compare it to a 100-meter race, I think we have already run 70 meters," Andrey Yermak said

MOSCOW, November 10. /TASS/. The hardest times in the Ukrainian conflict are still ahead for Kiev, Andrey Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said.

"The military action may end suddenly. But when it will end, no one will say. It depends on many factors. If we compare it to a 100-meter race, I think we have already run 70 meters. But the last 30 [meters] will be the hardest," Yermak said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, noting that the operation was aimed at the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine. Putin also pointed out that the military development of Ukrainian territories by NATO is unacceptable for Russia.