Former NATO secretary general says that Putin's "Plan A" has failed, next year will be crucial
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that Vladimir Putin is betting on weakening the West instead of rapidly seizing Ukraine.
Source: Rasmussen in an interview with the German TV channel n-tv, as reported by European Pravda
Details: When asked when and how the war in Ukraine might end, Rasmussen admitted that "it is difficult to make predictions".
Quote: "I am afraid that this will be a long war. Putin's plan A – to conquer the whole of Ukraine in a few days – has failed. His plan B is a frozen conflict and Russian occupation of eastern Ukraine in the hope that the West will weaken and give in," he added.
The former NATO secretary general suggested that the war in Ukraine will last at least until the end of 2024, as Putin hopes that the US presidential election "will bring changes that will help him in one way or another".
Quote: "I think next year will be crucial. If we give the Ukrainians everything they need to not only survive but to win the war, they have a good chance of pushing the Russians back," Rasmussen said.
Background:
- Earlier this year, a poll showed that support for Ukraine among Europeans remained broad, but only 10% believed Ukraine could defeat Russia.
- Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently stressed that Ukraine's victory should not only involve restoring borders or bringing the aggressor to justice but also creating a reality in which new aggression becomes impossible.
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