Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski says Vladimir Putin will only end the war in Ukraine when he realizes victory is impossible.
Pressure on Russia Key to Ending the War
Vladimir Putin will only end the war against Ukraine when he concludes he cannot win, said Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, in a CNN interview. According to Sikorski, this realization could come only through increased economic pressure and continued military, political, and financial support for Kyiv.
Shifting Moods and Ukrainian Attacks
Sikorski emphasized that the West must maintain consistent support for Ukraine, as it undermines Moscow’s war capabilities. He noted that Ukrainian forces have recently struck Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries, complicating Russia’s ability to sustain military operations. The Polish minister also highlighted a shift in tone from Donald Trump regarding the conflict, suggesting it was influenced by visible weaknesses in Russia’s offensive.
History as a Warning for Moscow
Referring to history, Sikorski compared the current war to World War I, which ended due to one side’s exhaustion. He pointed out that Putin launched the aggression based on flawed assumptions, such as the rapid collapse of Kyiv’s government and pro-Russian sentiment among Ukrainians. Sikorski argued that Putin cannot now admit his mistakes, prolonging the conflict. He added that a Russian defeat could benefit not only Ukraine and Europe but also Russia itself, paving the way for internal reforms.
