Edward Lucas's Apology
British journalist Edward Lucas has apologized to Ukrainians for the West's indecisiveness in supporting Ukraine and criticizes the political stance of Western Europe regarding the conflict with Russia. In his article published in a column for The Times, Lucas emphasizes that Russia has not defeated Ukraine on the battlefield, but has already defeated the West in the political confrontation. He notes that the team of US President Donald Trump demanded territorial concessions from Ukraine 'within days', which contributed to the escalation of the situation.
Challenges in Supporting Ukraine
Lucas also points out that over £150 billion of frozen Russian state assets remain unfrozen for the benefit of Ukraine. According to him, in 2022-2023, support for Ukraine was 'fashionable', but real actions remained inadequate. He cites the summer counteroffensive of 2023, which began under conditions of insufficient equipment for Ukrainian forces. The Biden administration assessed the likelihood of Moscow using tactical nuclear weapons at 50% in the fall of 2022, indicating the seriousness of the threats facing Ukraine and Europe.
“Unity turned out to be a fiction, and fatigue proved to be stronger than principles.” — Edward Lucas
Lucas notes that media and politicians pushed Ukraine into a 'catastrophically costly offensive, under-equipped and unprepared.' According to the journalist, 'Putin will not stop until he is stopped,' highlighting the need for decisive action from the West.
Lucas also adds that Ukrainians have 'moved beyond' and are 'already past feelings of disappointment or betrayal.' This indicates that Ukrainian society is ready for new challenges, despite the difficulties arising from the indecision of the international community. In conditions where the threat to Europe itself is increasing, it is important for support for Ukraine to become not just 'fashionable,' but also real and effective.
Edward Lucas' statement underscores the relevance of supporting Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia and the necessity of strengthening international solidarity. Drawing attention to the inadequate supply of Ukrainian forces and the indecisiveness of the West, Lucas calls for decisive actions that could influence the course of events in the region. These comments reflect the growing concern regarding Ukraine’s future and its ability to resist Russian aggression without proper support from the international community.