Europe to bolster support for Ukraine as US influence wanes
The withdrawal of American intelligence support is not a strong enough lever 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 200 billion 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 significant losses in the war, estimated at 200 billion dollars and nearly a million soldiers.
- Europe is ready to invest more resources in helping Ukraine, Sikorski emphasised.
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 America's abandonment of Ukraine. Sikorski stated that Trump is correct in saying 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 US support for Ukraine, including the sharing of intelligence, is essential, "that’s not a strong enough card to dictate a capitulation to Ukraine."
Capitulation would be recognising Crimea's annexation
According to other experts quoted by the newspaper, a near capitulation would be Kyiv's acceptance of the conditions set by the USA, including recognition of Crimea's annexation.
Fabian Zuleeg, head of the Brussels think tank European Policy Centre, stated that 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 a threat to European security. He added that recognising 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 200 billion 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.
