The famous American political scientist, director of the Center for the Development of Democracy at Stanford University, Francis Fukuyama, predicted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could indeed liberate Crimea in 2023. 

He said this in a comment to "Voice of America". 

Fukuyama believes that the liberation of Crimea in 2023 is quite likely.

This will happen after the Armed Forces de-occupy Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. 

"Thus, they can simply cut off Crimea from the Russians and deprive them of the opportunity to supply the peninsula," the political scientist explained. 

He noted that because of the strikes on the Crimean Bridge, it became more difficult for the occupiers to provide for their army.

At the same time, Fukuyama believes that Putin will not dare to use nuclear weapons. 

Liberation of Crimea: opinions 

The head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will liberate Crimea in 2023.

It will happen by military means.

Also, the commander of the US forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Ben Godges, believes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will de-occupy Crimea by August 2023.

However, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US, General Mark Milley, believes that the 

 is unlikely and it can happen during peace negotiations.

The head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, holds a similar opinion  and

that Crimea can be liberated without bloody battles. 

Military expert Roman Svitan believes that Crimea will become a continuous zone of hostilities, since the Russians will not return Ukrainian territory just like that.

Read also:

• How to make Crimea unsuitable for the life of the Russian military: Arestovych provided a scenario of actions

• Explosions in Melitopol: a military expert explained what the armed forces are preparing for

• Putin may dare to use nuclear weapons: a former deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation named the prerequisites