© EPA-EFE/Radek Pietruszka The Russian autocrat is unwilling to accept Ukraine as a sovereign state.
The cessation of hostilities in Ukraine hinges on “who collapses first,” stated Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at the Munich Security Conference, according to a report by The Guardian.
He suggests that the conflict is progressively evolving into a contest of stamina, where Russia, despite intensifying strain on its own economy, endeavors to test the steadfastness of Ukrainian society.
“Putin claims to desire peace. And in a way… every strongman and every invader desires peace: if you yield and surrender, you will obtain peace,” Sikorski remarked.
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“But the pivotal question revolves around the conditions. And it appears that Russia can endure Ukrainian-ness as a sort of regional take on Russian culture, however, Russia cannot tolerate Ukraine — or at least Putin cannot — as a nation possessing its own distinct identity, history, interests, including security-related ones, and with its own aspiration to assimilate into other organizations, not Russian ones.”
According to the Polish minister, the central issue in this war is “who will succumb first.”
He underscored that Ukrainians are exhibiting fortitude at the front lines, whereas Russian advancements remain negligible.
“History demonstrates that bombing civilians is ineffective. The Luftwaffe did not shatter the morale of London, the Royal Air Force did not undermine the resolve of the German populace to resist. Conversely, it only reinforces it.”
In his estimation, the genuine inquiry is when Vladimir Putin will deplete his resources for conducting warfare.
“Signs of stress in the Russian economy are already beginning to surface,” Sikorski observed.
He also highlighted the necessity for Europe to participate in the negotiations because the stakes are “exceptionally high” — not solely for Ukraine or Europe's eastern border.
“It concerns Europe’s position in the future and the allocation of power globally. In other words, who will emerge as the third major force – China? The United States and/or Russia? Or the European Union? Refrain from asking me which choice I would favor,” the Polish Foreign Minister concluded.