"We should not expect that the Russian head of state, Vladimir Putin, will die soon," said Ukraine's third president, Leonid Kuchma, to the BBC.

All about the topic:

Russian invasion of Ukraine 6538

According to the politician who led the Eastern European country from 1994 to 2005, his country's war against Russia will not end soon.

"We rely on arms and other military supplies from NATO countries and their allies. Russia - on the fact that its economy will quickly go on military tracks. However, these processes require time. That is why I do not expect peace to be concluded soon ", he said.

"I also do not believe that radical changes will take place in Russia soon. Neither the average Russian citizen will protest against the war, nor economic sanctions will lead to a crisis in the economy in the near future. Nor will Putin die soon. Everything will be solved on the battlefield," added Kuchma.

Ukrainian spy: Putin used doppelgangers to cover up health problems

"However, I am firmly convinced that in the end we will defeat the aggressors," said the third president of Ukraine.

Russian invasion of Ukraine