Ukrainians Will Fight “With Bare Hands” if Peace Terms Are Unacceptable, CIA Director Says

CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated during a US Senate hearing on March 25 that Ukrainian forces will continue to fight, even “with their bare hands,” if they do not receive terms that ensure lasting peace.

“I want to say that with regard to the Ukrainian resistance, the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian military have been underestimated for a period of several years now,” Ratcliffe said.

“From my reflections in observing, from an intelligence standpoint, I’m convinced that they will fight with their bare hands if they have to, if they don’t have terms that are acceptable to an enduring peace.”

Ratcliffe stated that Trump aims to end the war on terms that would guarantee lasting peace. He also noted that the CIA is actively supporting Trump’s diplomatic initiatives.

Under a deal facilitated by the US, Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to a mutual ban on attacks targeting energy infrastructure in both countries. Additionally, the parties have committed to “eliminating the use of force” and preventing the military use of commercial vessels in the Black Sea.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a 30-day ceasefire in the Black Sea and a mutual ban on strikes against energy infrastructure took effect on March 25, following negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin on March 25 following negotiations in Riyadh, Russia has agreed to a Black Sea ceasefire under the condition that sanctions are lifted from the Russian Agricultural Bank and domestic producers of food and fertilizers.