Stubb to Politiken: Ukraine is Winning the War
Finland's President Alexander Stubb states that Ukraine is winning the war against Russia, citing significant Russian military losses and strategic errors by President Putin.
In an interview with Politiken, Finnish President Alexander Stubb asserts that the narrative of the Ukraine war should shift to a more positive perspective for Ukraine. He claims that the facts support Ukraine's position in the conflict, as Russia has suffered severe troop losses that are proving difficult to replace. Stubb highlights the stark military statistics, noting that on the worst days of conflict, one Ukrainian soldier is lost for every 25 Russian soldiers, suggesting a trend in Ukraine's favor.
Stubb further emphasizes that the war in Ukraine has been a monumental strategic blunder for Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading to significant geopolitical repercussions, including NATO's expansion with Finland and Sweden's membership applications. He argues that European countries have increased their defense spending notably since 2022, strengthening their military postures in the wake of the conflict. The deteriorating effectiveness and morale of Russian forces, as indicated by the high casualty rates, suggest that Russia is struggling to maintain its military campaign in Ukraine.
Lastly, Stubb articulates that Putin cannot afford to end the war without achieving some semblance of victory, underscoring the precarious situation in which the Russian leadership finds itself. He asserts that the ongoing conflict could further alter the European security landscape, as regional alliances and military strategies adapt to the realities posed by the war in Ukraine.