Pekka Toveri, why hasn’t Ukraine won the war yet?
“You have to remember that Ukraine is a much smaller country, there are three times as many Russians and they have much more money and resources,” the coalition’s MEP, Major General EVP. Pekka Toveri answers.
The difference in resources between the countries is illustrated by the fact that over the past twenty years, Russia has spent approximately 15–20 times more money on its armed forces than Ukraine.
What has the EU done wrong?
According to the comrade, the EU has chosen the wrong line by saying that Ukraine will be supported as long as the need requires.
“It’s not a strategy or a plan, but a hope that something positive will happen by continuing like this.”
Retired. according to the major general, the West should make a firm decision to end the war within a year.
“Then the soldiers are given the task of planning how to handle the matter”.
“Yes, the plan will certainly come from there, which weaponry material Ukraine should be allowed to keep in order to achieve the goal”.
Comrade reminds us that already in the fall of 2022, Ukraine would have had a chance to win the war if the West had not been chasing.
“The Russians were absolutely on lactic acid. They had terrible losses in men and equipment, and nothing to replace them was ready at the time”.
According to the comrade, the opportunity for Ukraine’s victory was lost in the West due to political infighting.
“First, there had to be a discussion for a couple of months about whether we could give heavy structural projectors”.
“Then there was a discussion for a couple of months, whether we can give tanks and so on”.
According to the Euro representative of the coalition, Ukraine would have already won the war if it had received the armament it wanted in time.
The war continues.
Russia’s war of aggression has already continued for 1000 days on Tuesday. Stock photo.
KUVA: DMYTRO SMOLIENKO
What must be done now in order for Ukraine to remain independent?
The comrade answers that, along with arming Ukraine, Russia must be stripped of its ability to wage war.
“Now the EU and its member states have supported Ukraine with around 120 billion euros, but at the same time we have bought 2-3 times more oil and gas from Russia”.
The Kokomusmeppi also criticizes the EU for allowing the sanctions imposed on Russia to leak. As a result, Russia receives components that allow it to build tanks and other combat equipment.
“At the same time, Ukraine has not been supported as effectively as it should be, so that it could attack effectively and even take back the territories occupied by Russia”.
Whose fault is it that the war continues?
“This is the politicians’ fault, as always,” Toveri says.
According to him, the EU suffers from a leadership deficit.
“The Chancellor of Germany (Olaf) Scholz is completely spineless with Russia”.
However, in euro terms, Germany is the most important supporter of Ukraine among the EU countries. Despite this, Germany’s peace line supporting Putin receives criticism from Tover.
Also the president of France Emmanuel Macron can scream.
“Macron goes around the world and talks big, but nothing ever happens”.
“Compared to the gross national product, France has given a tenth of what Finland has”, Toveri scolds.
“The British have also been in a mess after Brexit, and since no one is running this pump, the management responsibility has been with the Americans,” says the member of the coalition.
Even the president still doesn’t get the praise For Joe Biden and for his administration.
“They have been the same kind of cowards and weak as the EU and are afraid of the Russians and escalation”.
According to the comrade, Europe would need a proper (Winston) Churchillinwho would say that now let’s put things in order.
Expert and politician.
Major General evp. Pekka Toveri estimates that the fate of Ukraine is now “very likely” in Trump’s hands. Stock photo.
PHOTO: Jenni Gästgivar
Is the fate of Ukraine now in Trump’s hands?
“Most likely yes.”
According to Toveri, the goal of the Trump administration is that the war in Ukraine and the Middle East must be ended as quickly as possible, so that US resources can be freed up for China, which is the US’s most central challenge.
“That’s why they are now starting to force the parties to the negotiating table”.
However, according to Comrade Trump’s plan, the risk is that Ukraine will be forced into peace negotiations on Putin’s terms.
Will Putin ever let go of Ukraine?
“Putin will certainly not let go of Ukraine, but if the Russians could be squeezed hard enough, then Putin’s followers could be allowed to remain in Ukraine,” Toveri estimated.
What is the realistic outlook for peace in Ukraine?
“The front line will be frozen, a demilitarized line will be created and European troops will guard it”.
According to the comrade, it is crucial for Ukraine to get sufficient security guarantees so that they can be sure that Russia will not attack again.
According to Tover, the best way to keep Russia in check is if American soldiers come to Ukraine as peacekeepers.
“They have such power behind them that even the Russians understand that it is not worth challenging them”.
Lack of leadership.
The actions of Germany’s Olaf Scholz have not convinced Pekka Tover.
KUVA: Michael Kappeler/dpa via ZUMA Press
Will Ukraine become a member of the EU and NATO in the future?
“It will come. First a member of the EU and a little later a member of NATO”.
According to the comrade, Ukraine might be ready to give up NATO membership for the time being if they get credible security guarantees in other ways.
“Ukraine sees that its future and security will only be guaranteed if it fully integrates with the West”.
After Ukraine, is Putin trying to expand Russia’s living space to the rest of Europe?
“If Russia is allowed to keep 20 percent of Ukraine’s richest regions, and Russia is not punished in any way, and if the greedy Western countries start buying gas and oil from Russia again, it would be like telling Putin to eat.”
According to a friend Vladimir Putin has not given up on his goal that he has the right to have a buffer zone on Russia’s borders, and the right to determine what the defense and security policy of these countries is.
“Putin’s goal is still that Russia dominates Europe and the Yankees leave”.
What should the EU do now?
“The EU needs to develop defense and security on a broad front: defense research up, security of supply and military mobility in order,” Toveri answers.
He also refers to the president Sauli Niinistön to the recent preparedness report, which states that at least 20 percent of the EU’s total budget should be used for EU security and crisis preparedness activities.
“It’s a good start. In addition, each member state should spend 2–3 percent to improve its own defense.
According to the comrade, the EU should also continue to support Ukraine.
“Next year, the Russian armed forces’ budget will be around 133 billion euros, and Ukraine’s around 46 billion, and this difference should be financed by the EU”.
Wrong choice.
According to the comrade, the EU should support Ukraine to win the war and not just be there for as long as the need requires.
PHOTO: Kreeta Karvala
As a new MEP, do you believe that the EU will get the necessary measures done?
“There is indeed support for Ukraine in the commission and parliament, but the problem is that the actual bill is paid by the member states”.
According to Toveri, with Trump’s election victory, the EU has finally begun to understand that Europe must bear more responsibility for its own defense and take a bigger role in supporting Ukraine.
“I think that measures in the right direction are starting to be taken, but perhaps not as quickly and with large resources as they should”, concludes Toveri.