The American magazine Foreign Policy published comments from Hudson Institute staff members Luke Coffey and Peter Rough regarding the future deoccupation of Crimea.
“The truth is that there is no easy way out. Moscow has repeatedly made it clear that it will only accept Kyiv’s capitulation, and the latter’s failed ground offensive has only emboldened the Kremlin. The only way to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down from his goal is to give Ukraine the means to defeat russians on the battlefield”,- the article notes.
Staff explain that Putin will not stop at controlling just five regions.
“Of course, the West could try to put pressure on Ukraine to cede large territories and millions of Ukrainians to Russia in the hope of appeasing Putin, although Kyiv would fiercely and rightfuly resist such a move. This would destroy relations with Kyiv, undermine morale throughout Ukraine, and raise doubts about US commitments around the world”,- they explain.
Coffey and Rough also write that the beginning of a successful US strategy is to recognize that Moscow is not interested in a real cessation of hostilities.
“From 2014 to 2022, as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba noted, Russia agreed to 20 truces in Ukraine – and immediately violated each of them. Putin may propose another such agreement in the coming months, but it will have only one purpose: to give his troops a break before resuming hostilities”,- they conclude.