After nearly 1000 days of war, Putin has not achieved any of his strategic goals in Ukraine - Austin
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not achieved any of his strategic goals during the war against Ukraine.
According to Censor.NET, this is stated in a column by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for Foreign Affairs.
Austin emphasized that Ukraine is important to US security for obvious reasons: " Putin 's war is a direct threat to European security, a clear challenge to our NATO allies, an assault on our shared values, and a frontal assault on the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe."
"However, after almost 1000 days of war, Putin has not achieved any of his strategic goals. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not run away. Kyiv did not fall. And Ukraine did not surrender.
Instead, Russia has paid a staggering price for Putin's imperial stupidity: hundreds of thousands of Russians have died since February 2022, and more than $200 billion has been wasted," Austin emphasized.
He also notes that according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia's losses in the first year of Putin's war alone were greater than its losses in all conflicts after World War II.
"Ukraine has suffered terribly at the hands of Putin. But, as I saw again in Kyiv last week, Ukraine is standing firm - and even stronger. The Ukrainian struggle began with soldiers setting tank traps in the streets of Kyiv and ordinary citizens making Molotov cocktails to defend their homes. It continues today with a battle-tested Ukrainian military and security forces - and a rapidly expanding Ukrainian defense industry. Today, Ukrainian factories are producing some of the best drones in the world, and experienced Ukrainian air defense forces are protecting their troops and families," the US Secretary of Defense added.
In addition, Austin emphasized that "Ukraine's spirit has inspired the world."
"It reminded us all to never take our freedom for granted. We are well aware of the moral gap between the aggressor and the defender. We will not succumb to the deception and lies of the Kremlin's apologists. And we will continue to defend the right of the Ukrainian people to live in safety and freedom," Austin added.
According to him, Putin's attack is a warning: "a demonstration of a world built by tyrants and thugs - a chaotic, violent world divided into spheres of influence; a world where bullies can trample on their smaller neighbors; and a world where aggressors force free people to live in fear."
"So, we stand at a turning point in history. We can continue to stand firm against Putin's aggression - or we can let Putin do whatever he wants and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a much bloodier and more dangerous world. If Ukraine falls under Putin's boot, the whole of Europe will fall under Putin's shadow," the minister emphasized.
Austin is convinced that it is necessary to confront aggressive Russia, which is supported by other autocrats, from North Korea to Iran.
"Peace does not work by itself. Order will not preserve itself. And the principles of freedom, sovereignty, and human rights are not supported by themselves. That's why US President Joe Biden chose the path of mutual responsibility and shared security. Ukraine does not belong to Putin. Ukraine belongs to the Ukrainian people. And Moscow will never win in Ukraine. Putin thought that Ukraine would surrender. He was wrong. Putin thought that our democracies would give up. He was wrong. Putin thought that the free world would retreat. He was wrong. And Putin thinks he will win. He is wrong," Austin summarized.
