In the next few days, the Russian Federation may declare the seizure of Donbas and part of the south to be its victory in the war against Ukraine. Moscow intends to actually annex these territories.

Oleksiy Arestovich, an advisor to the head of the Presidential Office, said this in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine.

According to him, Russia's political goals in the war against Ukraine do not change.

"I think so, they have agreed that the victory in this war can be considered the exit to the administrative borders of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson regions, partially, perhaps, and Zaporozhzhia," Arestovich said.

He stressed that this could mean the proclamation of some "Taurian province" and the actual annexation of territories with the Russian ruble, payments from the Russian budget, education in schools, local administrations, etc.

As a reminder, earlier Pope Francis said that he was ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin did not respond to requests.