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Poland: Ukraine withstanding winter could lead to ceasefire
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Conflict & Security

Poland: Ukraine withstanding winter could lead to ceasefire

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Poland's foreign minister believes Russia has two options: unpopular mobilization or winter, and if Ukraine withstands winter, a ceasefire may be possible.
  • He stated that Putin's strategy of destroying Ukraine's energy system during winter is a gamble, and that bombing cities only terrorizes civilians, not weakening the army.
  • Continued aid to Ukraine, including generators and warm clothing, is crucial for Ukraine to survive winter and for Putin to realize he cannot win, leading to realistic ceasefire conditions.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested that Russia's wartime options are limited to unpopular mobilization or leveraging the harsh winter. He believes that if Ukraine can withstand the winter, conditions for a ceasefire might emerge.

If he doesn't break the Ukrainians during this winter, I think conditions will be created for a ceasefire and truce.

โ€” Radoslaw SikorskiSikorski speaking about the potential for a ceasefire if Ukraine withstands the winter.

Sikorski explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on winter, historically a potent weapon for Russia, to break Ukraine's will by targeting its heating and energy systems. However, he cautioned that if this strategy fails this winter, it could pave the way for a truce.

If he goes for people in Petersburg, Moscow, in big cities, part of the ruling team might rebel because they don't want it, knowing that a Russian soldier on the front line survives only 30 minutes during an offensive.

โ€” Radoslaw SikorskiSikorski discussing the risks of mobilization within Russia.

The minister also addressed mobilization within Russia, calling it a risky card for Putin. He noted that widespread conscription could provoke dissent among the ruling elite, especially given the short survival rate of Russian soldiers on the front lines, estimated at just 30 minutes.

He only terrorizes the civilian population. We must continue to help Ukraine because only when Putin realizes that he is unable to win will he set more realistic conditions for ending the war.

โ€” Radoslaw SikorskiSikorski criticizing Russia's bombing strategy and emphasizing the need for continued aid.

Sikorski criticized Putin's bombing of Ukrainian cities, arguing it terrorizes the civilian population without significantly degrading the Ukrainian army's combat capabilities. He stressed the importance of continued Western support for Ukraine, stating that only when Putin understands he cannot achieve victory will he consider realistic ceasefire terms. "We need to increase aid to Ukrainians so they can survive the winter, send them generators, warm clothing, and additional gas supplies," Sikorski urged.

It is not in the power of the victim to stop this war. Only the aggressor can end it. Simply stop waging war, stop launching attacks.

โ€” Radoslaw SikorskiSikorski stating that only the aggressor can end the war.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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