Europe pledges increased support as the US weighs Ukraine's role
The withdrawal of American intelligence support is not a strong enough card to force Ukraine to capitulate, said Radosław Sikorski, the head of Polish diplomacy, in an interview with The New York Times. Sikorski also estimated that Russia has lost at least 270 billion Canadian dollars in the war and nearly a million soldiers.
What do you need to know?
- Radosław Sikorski, in a conversation with The New York Times, stated that the withdrawal of American intelligence support will not force Ukraine to capitulate.
- Sikorski also assessed that Russia has suffered considerable losses in the war, estimated at 270 billion Canadian dollars and nearly a million soldiers.
- Europe is ready to invest more resources in helping Ukraine, emphasized Sikorski.
What are the consequences of the withdrawal of American support?
The head of Polish diplomacy is quoted in the "New York Times" article about Europe's stance in the event of the United States abandoning Ukraine. Sikorski stated that Trump is right that Ukraine is more important to Europe than the USA, but assured that because of this, Europe is ready "to invest proportionally more resources" and is already doing so.
The minister also assessed that although U.S. support for Ukraine, including in the sharing of intelligence, is essential, "that’s not a strong enough card to dictate a capitulation to Ukraine."
Capitulation would be recognizing Crimea's annexation
According to other experts quoted by the newspaper, a near capitulation would be the acceptance by Kyiv of the conditions set by the US, including the recognition of Crimea's annexation.
According to Fabian Zuleeg, head of the Brussels think tank European Policy Centre, the American proposal "essentially hands Russia a victory it cannot achieve on the battlefield", and constitutes an alliance with Russia, a betrayal of Ukraine, and European security. He added that recognizing Crimea's annexation is "a negation of the principles of European peace and puts into question the whole European security architecture since World War II."
What losses has Russia suffered?
Minister Sikorski highlighted the enormous costs that Russia has incurred due to the war. Financial losses are estimated at at least 270 billion Canadian dollars, and the number of killed and wounded soldiers reaches nearly a million. - That's not my definition of victory - commented Sikorski.
He simultaneously assessed that Europe "understands the stakes" and will continue to support Kyiv. - And Poland certainly will, and we’re not the only ones - he added.
