According to Julien Théron, a specialist in conflicts and international security, European sanctions against Russia “are not sufficient to prevent this kind of action.”
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“Vladimir Putin will stop where he is stopped”, estimated Thursday, February 24 on franceinfo the specialist in conflicts and international security Julien Théron. While the Russian leader has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the teacher considers that “limits must be established” and “European Union sanctions are not effective”. According to him, only “a capacity building of Ukraine” by “delivery of defense weapons” could drive back the Russian troops.
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franceinfo: Is this the worst case scenario?
Julien Theron: It’s exactly that. We are in the strategy of disorder, with a speech of disinformation on the part of Vladimir Putin. No, there is no genocide, no neo-Nazis in power who come from democratic elections. It’s disinformation, like what was done in the KGB in the Cold War years. This speech is completely out of reality, with a threat not only for Ukraine, but also for any entity or any person who would come to oppose this all-powerful desire to attack a sovereign and democratic state.
How far will Vladimir Putin go?
It will stop where it is stopped. Boundaries must be established. The sanctions policies of the European Union are efficient but not effective. They are not sufficient to prevent this kind of action. The sanctions imposed since 2014 have not even prevented this new aggression. They are too weak and always taken in reaction, never in anticipation. Vladimir Putin even explained that the sanctions were planned. The promise of this sanction therefore had absolutely no impact on Moscow’s strategy of disorder.
What is the lever that can remain for Westerners and at least put an end to the military operation?
President Hollande said it: Vladimir Putin only understands the balance of power. During the last diplomatic sequences, we also realized that the only things that made the Russian military think was the possibility of a capacity building in Ukraine. The delivery of defense, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as support for the civilian population who intends to resist.