Ukraine is currently in the best position it has been in throughout the entire war, which has been made possible by intensified strikes deep into Russian territory, according to a statement by Finnish President Alexander Stubb to the Financial Times, RBC Ukraine reports.
“We are in a fairly good place when it comes to Ukraine because everyone, including our American friends, sees that Ukraine is right now on top on the battlefield," Stubb noted.
He added that Ukraine is in a better position – militarily, politically, and financially – than at any other time during the war, and that is precisely why there is now restless activity in Russia.
"Our reading is that Russia will not end this war due to losses on the battlefield, which of course are colossal. It’s not going to be about a declining economy. But it is going to be about a change in public opinion. And public opinion is now changing in Russia," Stubb explained.
"I think that [all Nato leaders] understand why Ukraine is doing this," Stubb said on the eve of the alliance's summit in Ankara. According to him, all allies are convinced of the need to continue increasing pressure on Russia.
The Ukrainian deep-strike campaign, according to the president, has changed US strategic thinking about the war and strengthened Kyiv's negotiating position.
Stubb noted that China and some NATO allies initially feared Ukraine's long-range strikes due to the risk of escalation by Moscow.
"The steps of escalation are always possible and we look at different scenarios," he said, adding that during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he received a firm response regarding the inadmissibility of nuclear escalation.
The discussion about Ukraine's NATO membership has been postponed until a possible ceasefire. However, Stubb emphasized that integrating Ukraine's defense industry with the alliance is the fastest way to bring the country closer to membership.
"If I had a choice, we would make Ukraine into a Nato member immediately," the president noted, adding that NATO needs Ukraine just as much as Ukraine needs NATO.
