The Ukrainian counter-offensive must have a “number of troops far superior to the Russian forces in order to be able to regain the ground”. However, according to the former Prime Minister invited Wednesday on France Inter, kyiv does not have the necessary logistical means.
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“There is something in the Ukrainian issue that goes far beyond Ukraine: in particular the security of Europeans”, estimated Wednesday June 21 on France Inter Dominique de Villepin, former Prime Minister of Jacques Chirac. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs also asserts that “the question is not to spare the Russians, but to arrive at a lasting peace”.
>> War in Ukraine: three questions about the kyiv counter-offensive, which is struggling to push back the Russian army
To do this, Dominique de Villepin calls on the international community to “take into account the situation of the loser to ensure that he does not have the natural and spontaneous possibility of nourishing a spirit of revenge or resentment”. He then refers to Germany and the two World Wars. He insists that “Russia will continue to be part of Europe and a geopolitical whole to be reckoned with”.
Air control ‘still in Russian hands’
Dominique de Villepin also judges “Very important” the issue of the counter-offensive launched by Ukraine against Russian troops. This counter-offensive assumes, however, that Ukraine has a “number of troops much higher than the Russian forces to be able to regain the ground“. However, for the former minister, kyiv does not necessarily have the logistical means necessary to find “very quickly the fault” and lead a breakthrough on the Russian fronts. “In air matters, this remains insufficient and control of the air is still in the hands of Russia”notes Dominique de Villepin.
This data must “to alert Europeans and Americans to the fact that we must not be in the situation of providing too little, too late”, assures Dominique de Villepin. He therefore considers that “Ukrainian strategy must align with the means available to Ukraine”. “It is important to have a strategic reflection with the Ukrainians on the means required to succeed in breaking through the front, to keep the pressure on Vladimir Putin and not to let up on the effort”adds the former Minister of Foreign Affairs.