The West has not lost faith in military victory over Russia
Western bloc countries are not planning negotiations with Russia on a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
The director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Dan Smith, stated this in an interview with Izvestia, as reported by PolitNavigator correspondent.
He was asked whether the West still believed in victory over Russia on the battlefield.
“I think most likely yes. But I guess the assessment now will be: Russia will not be defeated on the battlefield this year. However, they really think that this is theoretically possible if military equipment is sent and training is carried out.
I think they believe that Ukraine can still defeat Russia on the battlefield. But not in order to conquer Russia. Overall, the overall assessment now is that Ukraine can still defeat Russia on the battlefield, but perhaps not this year,” Smith said.
He described the retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdeevka as “an important strategic achievement for Russia, but not decisive.”
“I don’t think this marks the beginning of a Russian victory,” the expert said.
According to him, Europe is able to provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine without the participation of the United States, “but perhaps not enough to satisfy the desires of Ukraine and victory on the battlefield.”
The publication's interlocutor emphasizes that the West is still not ready for negotiations with Russia.
“He wants to support Ukraine and will be ready for negotiations only if Zelensky gives a different signal. If Zelensky now says: “we will negotiate” or “we can negotiate,” then everything will change. They have made themselves dependent on this,” says the director of the Institute.
In this situation, the analyst believes, “much, but not everything, depends on the United States.”
“But I think Zelensky’s decision is decisive. And if, for example, there was pressure on him from the United States in favor of negotiations, Zelensky would also ask what the Europeans want. So American pressure on Zelensky is important, but not decisive,” Smith concluded.
English version :: Read in English The West has not lost faith in a military victory over Russia.