Western aid crucial as Ukraine struggles to protect sovereignty
- Ukraine had never prepared for war, naively believing in international security institutions. Hence, it is unfortunately unable to protect international order and peace in Europe with its own resources. It is Western weapons and funds that provide the basis of our continued defense - says Yegor Firsov, former Ukrainian parliamentarian and now a medic helping wounded soldiers on the front line.
Firsov argues that the best guarantee of peace in Ukraine would not be political assurances, "rather, we must create conditions so that the the enemy simply wouldn’t dare attack again."
In his view, even if Donald Trump, after assuming power in the US, significantly limits or completely stops aid to Ukraine, the war will continue. - Rather, it would simply mean Ukraine paying the price of even more victims and losing more territory, while Russia grows stronger and advances closer to NATO borders - Firsov argues.
And even if a diplomatic process were to begin - as he adds - Those involved will advocate positions based on the situation at the front. Meaning, it is the military reality that will determine Russia’s compliance and willingness to compromise.
- Thus, whatever our expectations from the Trump administration may be, both the U.S. and especially Europe should be interested in strengthening the resources of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Otherwise, negotiations will turn from a constructive conversation into a platform for Russian President Vladimir Putin to issue ultimatums - Firsov says.
- Ukraine never prepared for war, naively believing in international security institutions. Therefore, unfortunately, it is not capable of protecting the international order and peace in Europe with its own resources. It is Western weapons and funds that form the basis of our continued defence – he adds.
The drama of Ukrainians on the front. "We are losing cities"
Firsov is convinced that Putin secretly hopes that soon Western support for Ukraine will begin to wane, and then Russian victory will be within reach. Especially since with the current support, Ukraine is on the defensive.
- I have been fighting in Donbas for three years, now in the Pokrovsk direction. And, indeed, the situation is such that we’re losing cities: Avdiivka, Vugledar and Selydove were all lost this year, while Kostyantynivka, Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk, Myrnograd, Toretsk and Kurakhovo are all under severe threat. And this means Russia currently has no incentive to stop hostilities - he concludes.
He emphasises that the most urgent need is as many drones as possible. According to him, within the last month alone, drones recorded about 20,000 hits on enemy targets.
- A freeze or a truce isn’t peace. And we shouldn’t be under any illusion that Putin will stop without achieving his goals, should he have the resources and opportunities to do so - he summarises.
