The High Representative of the EU for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, is convinced that the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will not be satisfied with the occupation of only part of Ukraine and is ready to fight until the final victory.
Part of Ukraine will not satisfy Putin
Borrell told The Guardian that he sees no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to stop or even agree to a deal that allows Russia to keep occupied eastern Ukraine.
He also warned that the existence of the European Union is at stake in Ukraine.
If we do not quickly change course, if we do not mobilize all our capabilities, this will allow Putin to win the war in Ukraine. What is important is what we can do to prevent Russia from winning the war. What are we ready to do? Are we really ready to do what is necessary? This is the question we must ask ourselves.
The chief diplomat of the EU is convinced that Putin will not be satisfied with a part of Ukraine and a limited territorial victory. He will not give up the war, especially before the presidential elections in the United States, which may present him with a much more favourable scenario.
Putin decided to continue the war until the final victory, Borrell said. He is still willing to fight, to let his men die, to let his army and his people suffer because he has no way back.
The diplomat added that Russia could never become a nation: it was always an empire, first with the tsar, then with the Soviets, now with Putin.
This is a constant of Russia, its political identity and, as a result, a threat to its neighbours — and especially to us.
What plans does Putin have for Ukraine?
The German publication Bild believes that the Russian Federation plans to capture all of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and up to the Oskil River in Kharkiv region by the end of 2024.
In 2025 and 2026, he plans to occupy large parts of the Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions, including Kharkiv.
Currently, the Russian Federation is concerned only with restraining the Armed Forces from advancing south to Crimea.
The Russian Federation also hopes to benefit from the US presidential election in 2024, which will drastically reduce or stop military support for Ukraine.
