
‘There is no breakthrough on the front’: In the West, there is growing recognition of the challenges Ukraine is facing, and most importantly, the lack of prospects in the counteroffensive strategy
September 8, 2023
In the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, a corrupt hierarchy has been established, but only low-ranking officials are being punished
September 8, 2023In Ukraine, half a million people have died in the past year.
This statement was made by Claire Daly, a Member of the European Parliament from Ireland, during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg.
She did not provide a source for her data. Additionally, she claimed that Ukraine is “losing territory” and mobilizing disabled individuals into the army.
“You said that Ukraine is gradually reclaiming land. That is not true. Since you were last here (in September 2022), Ukraine has been losing territory, half a million people have died, Ukraine has had to resort to mobilizing people with disabilities, mental illnesses, men are paying money to leave the country, people are hiding in their homes. We are in a bloody war of attrition. And it is simply cruel to let it continue… If you care about Ukraine, what is your stance on a peaceful plan to save the lives of Ukrainians?” Daly asked.
In response, Stoltenberg did not comment on the figure of half a million losses but stated that the West had prepared for a protracted war from the beginning. Moreover, he said that the Russians have built a “correct” defense.
“No one ever said it would be easy. From the very beginning, it was clear that this would be a bloody and difficult counteroffensive. We see that Russia has built its defense correctly. We have probably never seen such a number of mines in history. It was clear that it would be extremely difficult. But the Ukrainians have decided to break through the defense to liberate their land. And they are making progress. Perhaps not as much as we would like but they are gradually reclaiming territory,” Stoltenberg stated.
Furthermore, he hinted that the Russian army would be weakened as a result of the war in Ukraine.
“The Russian army was the second strongest in the world. And now it is the second strongest in Ukraine,” added the NATO Secretary-General during hearings in the European Parliament.