Finnish president calls Ukraine war "strategic failure" for Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that Russia’s war against Ukraine has turned into a "strategic failure" for Vladimir Putin.

The Nordic state leader had harsh words for the Russian president during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, Caliber.Az reports.

Stubbe stated that despite Moscow’s unwillingness to end the war and its attempts to advance its troops, Russia has failed to achieve the expected results over four years. “This war has become a strategic failure for President Putin,” the Finnish leader emphasized.

He listed the purported "gains" Russia had achieved by its military actions against Ukraine, noting that all it did was cause 1 million deaths and casualties and a reduction in its sphere of influence by capturing 20% of Ukraine.

During the panel discussion hosted by the Deutsche Welle, in which he was joined by the leaders of NATO and Poland, Stubbe also listed the economic losses Moscow had incurred during the years of war, pointing to a "30% inflation rate, 16% interest rate, 0% growth, no reserves left, and soon not even money to pay soldiers when the war ends."

The Finnish PM pointed out, however, that Russia’s actions have led to NATO’s expansion, closer ties between Ukraine and Europe, and increased defence budgets across European countries.

During the panel discussion, Stubbe also expressed confidence that Europe was capable of defending itself, to which he responded with "unequivocally yes."

By Nazrin Sadigova