The video was published on the forum's YouTube.
“Look what Russia has achieved in the last four years. It has captured 20% of Ukraine through military action, which is about 2%. In the process, about 1 million people have been wounded and killed,” Stubb said.
In addition, the Russian Federation has “reduced its sphere of influence” – “the countries of Central Asia and the southern regions are separating from the Russian Empire,” he noted.
“Look at the Russian economy now: based on the inflation rate in the first two weeks, this year we are looking at 30% inflation, 16% interest rates, zero growth, no reserves, inability to pay soldiers after the war is over. So I am more concerned about Russia's unwillingness to end this war because they can't afford it than Russia's ability to win this war. Because they are not ending this war, because they are moving forward,” Stubb said.
According to him, “this war has become a complete strategic failure of President Putin.”
“He increased the size of NATO. He made Ukraine European. He increased the defense budgets of European countries. And so we, trembling, ask ourselves: 'Can we defend ourselves?' My answer is yes, they can,” Stubb assured.
Context
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland opened on January 19 and will last until the 23rd.
Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in January that the Russian war against Ukraine began in 2014, and even after a complete escalation in 2022, Putin “still does not control the entire Donbass.” The Russian Federation understands that there is a war of attrition, so Western countries should continue to support Ukraine – the more likely Putin will show readiness for peace negotiations, Stoltenberg noted.
