Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ Estonia's Foreign Minister Sounds Off: Can Russia Be Broken?
Stirring Words from Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna
Russian Foreign Minister's Statement at 22:11: Possibility of Russia's Disruption
Estonia's top diplomat, Margus Tsahkna, dismissed claims that Russia is on the brink of victory in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. "Instead of a three-day 'special operation,' Ukraine has been battling Russia for more than three years. And Russia has not achieved any significant strategic breakthroughs on the battlefield," Tsahkna tells the "Kyiv Independent" during an interview at the NATO summit on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has no interest in a ceasefire, according to Tsahkna. However, he remains optimistic that Russia can be forced into serious negotiations with further sanctions, increased investments, and military support for Ukraine. Tsahkna emphasizes, "Ukraine is truly strong."
Casualties Mount, Tensions Rise
In updates from the war-torn region:
- Donetsk - Two civilians are killed in the Donetsk region following Russian Smerch shelling, according to reports from the regional prosecutor's office spokeswoman to the online portal "Ukrajinska Prawda." A 64-year-old woman was also injured.
- Kherson - A drone attack in Kherson results in a 48-year-old man's death in the hospital from his injuries, as reported by the regional administration.
- Clashes and Airstrikes - The Ukrainian military reports that an attack was carried out on the military airport "Marinowka" in southern Russia, causing damage to several Russian fighter jets and a maintenance and repair base. However, there's no independent confirmation of these claims as of yet.
- Peace Policy Debate - Left-wing SPD politician, Ralf Stegner, defends a manifesto he and fellow party members signed that opposes an escalation course and advocates for talks with Russia, despite Putin's war crimes.
The Long Road Ahead
As the deadly conflict rages on, experts suggest that Russia is unlikely to be swayed into serious peace negotiations without its maximalist demands—primarily territorial concessions—being met. Sustained and increased support for Ukraine could enhance Ukraine's position and potentially pressure Russia, but a negotiated settlement in the near term seems unlikely without a substantial change in circumstances.
[1] Washington Post, "Analysis: Why Zelensky’s plan for peace with Putin is unlikely to succeed," May 18, 2023.
- The ongoing debate in German politics, as demonstrated by SPD politician Ralf Stegner's stance, continues to advocate for talks with Russia, despite the atrocities committed by President Vladimir Putin, revealing a complex interplay of politics, general news, and the Ukraine war.
- In the context of Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's comments, it appears that the continuation of strong employment policies within NATO (from the given list) could potentially be a strategic measure to strengthen Ukraine's position against Russia in the ongoing war-and-conflicts, providing further resources and support to resist any Russian advances.
