Bad peace deal for Ukraine will be danger for Europe, - Dutch Defence Minister Brekelmans
A bad peace deal will not only be a blow to Ukraine, but also pose a danger to Europe, as the aggressor who wins sends a signal to other autocratic leaders that borders can be changed by force, and international agreements are just promises on paper.
According to Censor.NET, citing Ukrinform, this was stated by Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
"A bad peace agreement is not only a blow to Ukraine, but also a danger for Europe. After more than three years of war, the conclusion may be that aggression is winning. Then, after the Second World War, the conclusion was that freedom and democracy had won in Western Europe. And after the Cold War, the conclusion was that almost all of Europe had finally won freedom and democracy. And we cannot even imagine that now, after three years of full-scale war in Ukraine, the conclusion could be that aggression and imperialism have won in Europe, and with that, we have lost freedom and democracy. We all need to realise how dangerous this is. Because the aggressor who wins feels strengthened and wants to continue. The aggressor who wins sends a signal to other autocratic leaders that borders can be changed by force and international agreements are just promises on paper," Brekelmans said.
According to him, "Putin will undoubtedly try again. Russia's aggression is like an avalanche - it destroys everything as it gradually moves forward. He will invade Ukraine or another former Soviet republic again. Perhaps the Baltic states, which are now full members of NATO and the European Union. And if aggression is rewarded, it could push China to be more aggressive towards Taiwan, to be more aggressive in the Middle East. If a bad peace agreement is reached, we will make the same mistake as during the First World War - when the war in Ukraine may end, but peace will be lost."
Brekelmans stressed that in order to keep Europe, and thus the Netherlands and Ukraine, free and secure, it was necessary to implement the principle of ‘peace through strength’ in Ukraine in both the short and long term.
According to him, military support for Ukraine must continue unhindered, and the stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the greater the chance of a fair and lasting peace agreement.
"In addition, peace through strength also means that Ukraine must receive reliable security guarantees. Reliable means that in the event of a ceasefire or peace agreement, Putin can be deterred from further aggression as much as possible. This is only possible if the mandate of any potential deterrent force, naval force or peacekeeping mission is clear and understandable. Because Putin will test the strength of any peace agreement... Putin must know that every time he steps up the escalation ladder, he will face a stronger adversary. This is only possible with the support of the United States. And there should be a very clear division of responsibilities between Ukraine, European countries and the United States, and possibly other countries that will be involved in this process," Brekelmans said.
