KYIV, Ukraine – Russia is apparently ready for a ceasefire. The door to negotiations, Kremlin spokesman said last weekhas never been closed.
No one should be fooled. Whatever its officials say, Russia remains focused on war and aims to ruin Ukraine and destroy the West. The view of Odessa, which was hit by Russian missiles just hours after an agreement was reached to allow grain exports from southern ports, should dispel any lingering naivety. For Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire now would simply allow his exhausted invasion forces to take a break before returning for further aggression.
The truth is simple: Mr Putin will not stop until he has stopped. Therefore, the calls for a ceasefire, which can be heard throughout Europe and America, are misplaced. This is not the time to accept unfavorable ceasefire proposals or peace agreements. The task is instead to defeat Russia and limit its ability to attack anyone again in the foreseeable future. With continued and timely assistance, Ukraine is ready and able to do this.
No one wanted this war except Russia, and no country in the world longs for peace more than Ukraine. But a lasting, lasting peace – rather than the time bomb of a frozen conflict – is possible only after Russia has suffered a major defeat on the battlefield. That is why Ukraine must win. Only then will Mr Putin seek peace, not war.
It is not that the Russians are plotting a concrete path to a ceasefire. One day, that of Russia Minister of Foreign Affairs claims the country is ready to expand its war goals. Next one, he says Moscow is ready to negotiate with Kiev “on a wider range of issues”. In the end of JunePutin’s spokesman suggested that Ukraine should accept Russia’s ultimatums and lay down its arms to end the war. Last week he said Russia is ready to resume calls but that the ball is in Ukraine’s court. It’s hard to know what to think – except that Russia isn’t serious about ending the conflict.
Ukraine, the United States and our European allies must speak to Putin in his language: the language of violence. In practice, this means strengthening Ukraine militarily by accelerating the delivery of advanced artillery pieces and armored vehicles, and economically with additional financial support. Sanctions against Russian exports should also be increased, banks banned and access to maritime trade restricted. Some may argue about the price of such support. But the alternative, an emboldened Mr Putin, is much worse.
I am deeply grateful to the United States and personally to my friend and fellow Secretary of State Antony Blinken for all the security and other assistance the country has provided. I am equally grateful to all our partners in Europe and around the world who stand alongside Ukraine during this difficult time.
Still, I want to be clear: military aid to Ukraine is not charity. It is a necessary investment in the long-term security of Europe. The Ukrainian army will emerge from this conflict – Europe’s largest land war since 1945 – as one of the continent’s most capable armed forces. After repelling the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian military will devote itself to preserving the security and stability of Europe and protecting democracy from any authoritarian intrusion.
Despite all the skepticism about sanctions, the fact is that they work. Russia’s continued efforts to lift them, such as to introduce abandoning its naval blockade of Ukrainian ports in exchange for the lifting of sanctions is the best proof of their effectiveness. In his efforts to harm the well-being of Europeans and North Americans, Mr. Putin arms energy and food and deliberately drives up world prices. Strengthening sanctions, which limit Russia’s ability to continue the war, is the best way to end such behavior.
With global support, Ukraine has already stabilized the frontline and is preparing to regain control of the territories currently occupied by Russia, primarily in the strategically important south. It is true that we lost some ground in the Luhansk region, because of Russia’s overwhelming advantage in artillery. But we are now slowly closing the gap, thanks to heavy weapons supplied by the United States and others. Russia has not made any significant gains in recent weeks. We are determined to turn the tide in our favor and drive the Russian troops out of our country.
In that spirit, we in Ukraine call on our partners to increase their support and reject Russia’s fake peace proposals. Nor are they allowed to pay attention to the story, reinforced by Russian propaganda, of the so-called war fatigue. Any war is exhausting, but we must persevere. The price of losses – a crushed Ukraine, a shattered West and a resurrected Russia – is too high to bear anything else.
Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
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