Click on the audio player icon above to hear the interview with EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius by Polish Radio’s Beata Płomecka and TVN’s Maciej Sokołowski.
Speaking on the “Szczyt Europy” (“Summit of Europe”) podcast ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Kubilius warned that maintaining current aid levels would benefit Moscow.
“If our assistance stays at the current level, Russia will start to win and dominate,” he told the hosts, Polish Radio’s Beata Płomecka and TVN’s Maciej Sokołowski.
Kubilius argued that boosting support for Ukraine would ultimately cost Europe less than allowing Russia to prevail. Strengthening Ukraine, he said, could create “real conditions for peace through strength, pressure and reinforcing Ukraine’s position,” giving Kyiv “a real chance to win,” which in turn might convince Russian President Vladimir Putin that the war cannot be won.
Asked whether Ukraine should accept territorial losses in exchange for peace, including land not yet occupied by Russia, Kubilius rejected the idea. “Occupation cannot be recognized,” he said, adding that some sanctions might need to remain in place until all Ukrainian territory is regained and no longer occupied.
“That may take some time,” he said, but added that he saw no reason for the European Union to abandon its firm stance on upholding international law.
Kubilius also opposed any broad resumption of dialogue with Moscow while the war continues. “I would be very much against talks about a general opening of dialogue with Putin […] while Putin is still waging war against Ukraine,” he said. “The only thing we can talk about with Putin is peace.”
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Source: Polish Radio