At the Munich Security Conference, European politicians delivered a blunt assessment of Russia’s situation and its prospects in the war against Ukraine, Dialog.UA reports.
One of the sharpest remarks came from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Speaking from the podium in Munich, he pointed to the Russian army’s inability to advance in Ukraine.
“The Russians want everyone to believe they look like mighty bears. But it is safe to say they are moving through Ukraine at the speed of a garden snail,” the alliance leader said.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb was equally uncompromising in his comments about Moscow. He stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has suffered a “strategic failure” during his aggression.
“He wanted to make Ukraine Russian, but it has become European,” the Finnish president said.
He noted that over the past two years, the Russian army has managed to seize only 1% of Ukrainian territory while suffering enormous losses.
European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas also voiced her view, stressing that Moscow has failed to achieve its ambitions even after years of fighting.
“After more than ten years of conflict, including four years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia has barely advanced beyond the 2014 lines. And at what cost? 1.2 million casualties,” she said.
According to her, the consequences of the aggression have been devastating, first and foremost for Russia itself.
“Today, Russia is destroyed. Its economy is in ruins. It has been cut off from European energy markets, and its own citizens are fleeing the country,” Kallas noted.
She warned of the risks of political concessions to Moscow, which could grant the Kremlin more at the negotiating table than it could achieve militarily.
“The greatest threat Russia currently poses is that it may gain more at the negotiating table than on the battlefield,” the diplomat emphasized.
Kallas also outlined the principles of a possible settlement.
“If the size of Ukraine’s armed forces must be limited, then Russia’s military forces must be limited as well. If Russia has caused damage to Ukraine, Russia must pay for it. There is no amnesty for war crimes, no forgiveness without the return of deported Ukrainian children. That is truly the bare minimum Russia should agree to if peace is its goal,” she stated.
The statements by European leaders in Munich signal continued political and military support for Ukraine and demonstrate that Europe does not regard Russia as an invincible force capable of dictating peace, the portal concludes.
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