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Gabrielius Landsbergis is the minister of international affairs of Lithuania.
Despite all of the cruelty and hatred unleashed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime, Ukraine continues to withstand its aggressor — and it is able to struggle till victory.
A 12 months in the past, many doubted Ukraine. They instructed that in days — at most weeks — Russia would seize Kyiv. And a few of these voices who proved to be so manifestly flawed then are actually brandishing “peace plans,” nudging Ukraine to just accept concessions on its sovereignty and territorial integrity in trade for Russia’s settlement to finish the warfare.
But these “peace plans” are based mostly on prevailing myths that we should confront earlier than they turn out to be a actuality.
First fable — Ukraine is unable to reclaim its territories.
Ukraine has already busted that declare by retaking territory from Russia’s management — from the outskirts of Kyiv to Kharkiv and Kherson. Ukrainians have the need to struggle and an efficient technique to reclaim all of what belongs to them. Instead, it’s our tempo of assist that hinders their skill to behave quicker, and finally raises the dying toll.
More weapons, extra ammunition, extra coaching is the positive path to a full restoration of Ukraine’s territory. And to perform that we’d like a longer-term technique that may enable Ukraine to fully push Russia out, past its internationally acknowledged borders.
Second fable — Russia is unbeatable.
Despite Russia’s disregard for human life and careless willingness to throw away troopers as cannon fodder, its reckless physique rely nonetheless can’t shut the capabilities hole. Ukrainian troops have excessive morale, competent commanders and entry to vastly superior know-how.
We additionally want to just accept the fact that the West — with its protection trade output nonetheless at peacetime ranges — hasn’t even began flexing its full navy muscle. The mixed Nordic-Baltic nominal GDP alone is increased than Russia’s, and it’s actual info like these that ought to inform the West’s technique — not Moscow’s narrative that it’s NATO’s peer. Mindset, resolve and political will are key.
Third fable — Russia will get exhausted and wish to settle.
Putin isn’t able to accept an trustworthy and sturdy peace. Just as in 2008 and 2014, this newest warfare is fueled Russian revanchism, and when Western companions talk about a doable settlement or freezing the battle, Moscow sees it not as an off-ramp however as an indication of Western fatigue.
Rather than bringing peace nearer, continued discuss a negotiated finish to the warfare solely amplifies its value for Ukraine — and for Western allies. Therefore, this warfare should be “settled” on the battlefield, as any deal offering actual or perceived positive factors for Russia would solely be a breather earlier than the subsequent part of this warfare.
Fourth fable — Crimea is a redline for Putin.
Putin likes to attract strains within the sand. He is aware of that the West will take them severely, as they might take their very own. And in the middle of this warfare, Putin has saved repeatedly drawing new redlines.
However, these strains restrict the velocity of our decision-making. Internationally agreed borders might be the one redline, and Crimea is Ukraine. Stopping Ukraine from taking Crimea again would by no means cease Putin craving extra.
Fifth fable — there’s life with Putin’s Russia after the warfare.
Putin and a few within the West are nonetheless relying on the concept “Russia will still be there” after the warfare and, thus, plan a return to enterprise as common. It’s one thing that comes together with prevailing fears that Putin’s successor can be much more ruthless and vindictive.
However, we have to see Russia’s defeat not as a risk however as a possibility to construct a unique, remodeled nation that received’t threaten its neighbors once more. Rather than be afraid of Russia’s transformation, we have to settle for that whereas 30 years have handed, the unraveling of the Soviet Union nonetheless isn’t full — and it by no means might be till the mindset in Moscow has modified.
Sixth fable — all wars finish with negotiations.
This is a story that doesn’t stand the take a look at of historical past. After World War II, European international locations didn’t reclaim their territories after diplomatic outreach with the Nazi regime. Just think about sitting on the negotiating desk with Adolf Hitler on the finish of 1942, when he was caught in Stalingrad however with half of Europe nonetheless occupied.
Moreover, has any ceasefire settlement with Russia ever actually introduced sustainable peace? If so, then why do Georgians nonetheless go to mattress fearing the subsequent assault will take away their very own yard? Did the Minsk agreements cease the warfare or, reasonably, did they supply Russia time to arrange for the all-out assault?
The 1994 Bucharest Memorandum that gave Ukraine safety ensures in trade for relinquishing its nuclear stockpile additionally turned out to be empty guarantees. So, Russia now have to be defeated militarily reasonably than obtain any invites to a peace convention. And Ukraine must be invited to hitch NATO as quickly as situations enable as a result of solely NATO can present actual safety ensures.
Seventh fable — Baltic international locations and Poland solely need revenge in opposition to Russia.
The warfare in opposition to Ukraine is fed by Russia’s resentment over the Soviet Union’s collapse. And Russia’s vengeful imperialist agenda is an existential problem not only for Ukraine however all border states — together with my very own.
But each resolution we’ve made previously three a long time is about creating security for our individuals. When we warned of the hazards of Russia, we had been discounted as alarmist — however we had been confirmed proper. And we proceed to voice our issues as a result of we all know that Putin’s regime just isn’t completed but and the world received’t be protected till it’s.
Like Ukraine, we wish a simply and lasting peace. But if Ukraine is compelled to settle, it is going to carry neither justice, nor peace.
That is why Ukraine’s victory is our victory. Their safety is our safety. And solely victory will cease Putin coming at us once more.
