Putin will intensify aggression against Ukraine before elections – EU spokesman Stano
Before the presidential elections in Russia, an escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine should be expected.
This was stated by EU spokesman Peter Stano at a briefing, Censor.NET reports with reference to Ukrinform.
"Putin's decisions and actions clearly indicate that he intends to continue his criminal aggression against Ukraine. So far, there have been no real signs of peace efforts on the Russian side. So Putin does not want peace. During his presidential campaign for this spring's elections, the results of which I think we already know, he will intensify his aggressive actions against Ukraine. He demonstrated this during the Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as during the current escalation, using weapons, missiles, drones, hitting more and more infrastructure and other civilian targets," the EU spokesman emphasized.
He noted that the EU and the entire international community should continue to support Ukraine and emphasized the great importance of the meeting of security advisors on the Ukrainian Peace Formula in Davos. Such efforts bring the international community's attention back to Russia's criminal war, and this is extremely important because this aggression is directed not only against Ukraine, but also against the entire system of international law and the UN Charter.
Stano emphasized that any peace initiatives should respect the basic principles of international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Commenting on Russia's statements about its readiness to negotiate, the EU spokesperson noted that the words of the Russian leadership are not credible, as they directly contradict the actions of the Russian authorities.
"We have seen that all these declarations are not accompanied by any actions. Our decisions should be based on what they (Russians - ed.) do. We see that they continue their aggression. They are undermining the UN Charter and international law. They have no respect for human life, not only in Ukraine but also for their own citizens, whom they send to this criminal war. The damage caused by this war to the Russian population is enormous, not to mention the losses of Ukraine," Stano said.
He emphasized that under any circumstances, the European Union prefers to find peaceful solutions, but today "absolutely nothing" indicates Russia's desire for peace. Ukraine is a victim of criminal aggression, and it is Ukraine that will decide what the conditions, parameters and timelines for any peace efforts may be.
"...We consider the Ukrainian peace formula to be the most reliable and realistic basis for any peaceful settlement. Of course, in the end, the war and the conflict will be ended at the negotiating table, not on the battlefield. But the European Union's position is clear: Ukraine must win this war. Because Ukraine is using its legitimate right to self-defense. Putin has said that he wants to wipe Ukraine off the map, to end the existence of the Ukrainian nation. This has to stop," the EU spokesman said.
