Reports were published as far back as November last year that the US government was gently pressuring leaders in Kiev to stop rejecting the possibility of peace negotiations. A few days ago, the Wall Street Journal wrote about private statements from the German Chancellor and the French President telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine would not be able to win this war.
US media on Friday reported growing doubts about the Ukrainian army’s ability to recapture all territory held by Russia. There is talk of a security guarantee from NATO and closer ties with the military alliance, which are promised if Zelensky’s government enters talks with the Kremlin before the end of this year.
Those are actually in contrast to the public statements of support from NATO countries and also to US President Joe Biden’s recent speech in Warsaw, in which he promised that support for Kiev would not dry up. “Ukraine will never be a success for Russia,” Biden said. About possible talks, the US head of state said: “You cannot accommodate an autocrat (allusion to Putin, ed.), you have to resist him. Autocrats understand only one word: No! No! No!”
Heavy weapons are meant to gain a better bargaining position
But similar formulations have also been heard recently from London and Paris: Ukraine will be supported until it wins against Russia. “For Ukraine to win this war – and for it to happen faster – it must gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield.” This development will change the mindset of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently demanded that Ukraine receive faster aid with artillery, armored vehicles and air defenses.
Behind closed doors, however, people apparently speak very differently about the war in Ukraine. “We keep repeating that Russia cannot win. But what does that mean? If the war continues at this intensity, Ukraine’s losses will become unbearable. Nobody thinks they can bring Crimea back,” the Wall Street Journal quoted a senior French government official as saying.
“France and Germany also made peace”
During their meeting in Paris in early February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron told Zelenskyy, according to the newspaper report, that now is the time to think about negotiations with Moscow. Those present at the joint meeting allegedly claimed that Macron dared to make a historical comparison: even arch-enemies France and Germany had to make peace after World War II!
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
