General Philip Breedlove was commander -in -in -inspect of NATO when Russia occupied De Krim in 2014. With the “Kroon” he spoke in Vienna about current peace negotiations with Russia, and the idea of European troops in Ukraine.
“Krone”: General Breedlove, last week, hope for the peace negotiations in Turkey, they eventually burst. What is the following?
Philip Breedlove: If Putin had come to Turkey, Trump would have come and Zensky would have come anyway. Putin has repeatedly not shown himself -cooperating, and that will cost him a lot. Again, it shows that he is not interested in negotiations, he only wants to win time for a military victory.
Can you allow Russia occupied, Ukrainian areas? Or would that be a kind of surrender?
At present, Putin only makes requirements without concessions. If we responded to everyone and he would not be a surrender for him, yes. And Putin only encourages that.
How do you see the idea to send European troops to follow peace?
I don’t think Putin is interested in peace. Instead, we must try to make the conflict for Russia unbearable if it ceases -the fire is possible. Putin rejects NATO troops violently in Ukraine. It would now be all the more important for the West to show that we want to prevent Putin.
Do you speak of pure conventional deterrence?
And.
Where is the place of Austria in this scenario? Do we play a role as a small, neutral condition?
One of the first things I learned as a NATO commander was: don’t say what they have to do with other countries. But what I took at the time is from my role: Austria has a long tradition to train excellent, smart military managers. I do not drive anyone to NATO, but to bring this know -how to a Western network would be a big advantage. You have a very capable, forward -facing management level that can play an important role. If you are now investing in the operational readiness.
They continue to call the example of Finland and Sweden.
The two states put a lot of money and effort in their forces long before they came to NATO. So they were very fast at a level to work with NATO countries. I would never say Austria what it should do, but with the help of the example of these two countries you can see what huge skills were in the armed forces, and how quickly they can bring them to NATO, together should be threatened.
How does Russia come from this war? Staff, material and financially consumed? Or stronger than before?
That is a very complex question. Firstly, the industrial output suffers from the front losses. The Western sanctions finally grab. So Russia becomes weaker. But allies such as Iran, Noord -Korea and China unfortunately compensate a lot.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
