Ukraine, Podolyak: ‘Russia is not interested in ending the war, it must be forced to do so’

Frankfurt (Germany), 20 February (LaPresse) – “Without a doubt, the war can end at any moment if the Russian Federation, i.e. the aggressor, is finally ready to end it. It is mathematically clear what needs to be done in this war: increase the volume of sanctions and economic pressure on Russia to reduce its ability to finance the military blockade, exert strong diplomatic pressure so that no illusions are created that the war could end with great advantages for them, continue with consolidated support for Ukraine from European countries and the United States, so that Russia is certain that Ukraine will not remain alone against the aggressor.” This was stated in an interview with LaPresse by Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “There are therefore factors that can push towards the end of the war. The problem is that, unfortunately, lengthy discussions, delays in military supplies to Ukraine and sanctions that do not completely block Russia’s ability to profit on global energy markets do not create a stable feeling in Russia that the longer the war continues, the more serious the internal crises will be and the less weight it will have in the global hierarchy of influence. The issue is not a specific date, but the mandatory application of coercive measures against Russia,‘ Podolyak stressed, ’Russia, unfortunately, is not interested in ending the war, because war — an endless war — is its form of international subjectivity. Thanks to the war, it can be present in global debates and achieve what it considers to be its own dominance. Limiting its ability to wage war, especially in terms of resources, and a tough stance by the international community on the fact that war is an unacceptable tool of foreign policy can sharply accelerate the end of the conflict.”