Ukraine-NATO vicious circle: 1) NATO is not inviting Ukraine to join because the war goes on and Ukraine is not winning. 2) The war is prolonged and Ukraine is not winning because it gets limited military aid from NATO countries.
1/
3) Ukraine gets limited military aid because
a) the West is afraid of pushing Russia to the corner, i.e. afraid of Russia’s defeat
b) the West has limited stocks
2/
4a) the West is afraid of Russia’s defeat because Russia thinks Ukraine belongs to its sphere of influence and will get mad if it loses.
5a) Russia thinks that Ukraine belongs to its sphere of influence because NATO is not inviting Ukraine to join.
-- back to 1) or
3/
4b) the West has limited stocks because it is not producing enough.
5b) Western defence industry is not producing enough because Western leaders hope the war will be over soon.
But the war is prolonged because Ukraine gets limited military aid...
4/
And all over again.
It is possible to break this vicious circle but NATO lacked the courage and determination to do so in Vilnius. Only half-steps that don't bring the necessary strategic clarity.
END
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There’s been much futile speculation in US and Europe about whether/how to push Ukraine to peace negotiations.
The real question is, how to push Russia to stop the war and not even think about restarting. Biden has practically encouraged Russia to continue, not stop, the war. 1/
Will Trump put pressure on Russia? Will Europe make a new push - on Russia, not Ukraine?
It's kind of simple. Ukraine needs more military aid now and security guarantees for the future. Europe needs to get stronger. The costs of war for Russia need to become unbearable. 2/
Even to freeze the war, it is useless just to talk about the need to negotiate or about who should be involved in the negotiations. If Europe wants to be involved in defining the outcome, it has to be strong enough so that it can’t be ignored. 3/
Back from Kyiv, once again impressed by the Ukrainians’ determination to fight for freedom.
Some take-aways:
Zelensky will soon present his “victory plan” to Biden, incl concrete steps Biden should take before leaving office. This will be the last chance for Biden to improve his legacy on Ukraine, tainted by extreme caution and exaggerated concern about escalation.
Much talk about the need to allow Ukraine strike military targets deeper in Russia. All eyes on the US to lift the restrictions. Hard to understand why the process was handled with so much publicity, raising expectations that a positive decision was about to come
I’m getting questions from journalists covering EU top jobs #EUCO about whether Kaja Kallas is too anti-Russian to lead EU foreign policy. Some comments here.
I think the appointment of Kallas would be a sign that EU countries acknowledge the need to be tough with Russia. 1/
As long as Russia continues its brutal war against Ukraine, the EU has to maintain the course of assisting Ukraine and putting maximum pressure on Russia. There is constantly a need to do more in this regard. This is commonly agreed policy and the way towards a just peace. 2/
Estonia has been a leader in reshaping the EU's Russia policy since February 2022. The positions of member states, all of them really although to a varying degree, have changed dramatically. Otherwise Kallas would have no chance. 3/
Indeed. I’ve heard similar talk from various foreign policy wonks in Europe, wishing to define it as a goal that Ukraine should just keep the territories it has and give up the rest. This is an utterly dangerous idea and out of touch with reality. A couple of thoughts👇
Aiming for a settlement where Ukraine gives up some of its sovereign territory means aiming for a situation where the core norms of international security are no longer credible. It means creating bigger and costlier problems for the future. A whole new international (dis)order.
Moreover, and importantly, the West has no credible plan, how to get to a deal where Russia would accept stabilizing the contact line where it is AND respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty on the territories controlled by Kyiv.
For sure, Russia wants to make everyone in the West believe there is no way Russia can be defeated in Ukraine, since it is so much bigger and stronger – even the Pope helps spread the Russian narrative; many Europeans tend to believe it and hence wish for negotiations. 1/
The problem is, the option of reaching sustainable peace by going for a negotiated compromise with Putin’s regime does not exist. 2/
Russia is only interested in surrender of Ukraine and destruction of its independence; a ceasefire, negotiations and possible deal would be just an interim step in that direction. Just like the Minsk agreements were. 3/
Quite a lot of international attention to the Russian arrest warrant against Estonian PM Kaja Kallas.
Why did Russia do it and what can it achieve? 🧵1/
Kaja Kallas has been one of the most vocal proponents of supporting Ukraine and increasing the cost of war for Russia. Under her leadership, Estonia has been shaping EU and NATO policies regarding the war. No doubt Russia wants to shed a negative light on her. 2/
Russia might aim at undermining Western unity and support to Ukraine through actions like this. However, it is unlikely to have the desired effect. No doubt Estonia and Kallas will continue their efforts to support Ukraine and push allies to do more. 3/