Former UK Ambassador: Putin's War is Weak and Ukraine Can Win Easily

Russia's Military Weakness

• 🇷🇺 Russia's military is described as weak, with a tottering economy, high casualty numbers, and a depletion of tanks and armored vehicles.
• ⛽ Income from gas sales has plummeted, contributing to Russia's overall economic instability.
• 🇺🇦 Despite half-hearted US support, Ukraine has fought Russia to a standstill, indicating Russia's lack of strength.

Ukraine's Path to Victory

• 🎯 The war is on a knife edge, and with full-hearted support from the EU and UK, Ukraine could win the war "quite easily."
• 💰 The EU is considering using $140 billion from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, a significant sum comparable to past US and EU support.
• 📢 This financial aid sends a critical message to Russia: "you can't outlast us."

European Diplomacy and Support

• 🤝 European diplomacy is praised for its unity and solidarity between the EU and UK in continuing to help Ukraine.
• 🗣️ Efforts to pressure Donald Trump to adopt a less pro-Russian approach are also highlighted as good diplomacy.
• 🛡️ The formation of a "coalition of the willing" to support Ukraine and enforce a ceasefire is seen as a successful initiative.

Challenges and Future Considerations

• 🏭 Building up defense industries, like the production of 155mm shells, takes time and is crucial for sustained support.
• 🗳️ European governments must explain to voters why helping Ukraine is vital for their own security and the principle of territorial integrity.
• 🌍 Direct European military presence in Ukraine is considered a long way off due to public opinion and the risk of direct war with Russia.

Political Climate in Ukraine

• 🇺🇦 During the ambassador's tenure (2008-2011), Ukraine was a country full of hope and ambition, with a strong desire to be a normal country and shed its Soviet past.
• 🌐 Despite linguistic diversity, there was no issue with language, and even in regions like Crimea, people were relaxed about the status quo and did not want to be part of Russia.