"The Atlantic" journalist and Pulitzer Prize laureate Anne Applebaum told a TVN24 reporter in Kyiv that "the Ukrainians are preparing for a huge offensive". She added that the conflict could be entering a crucial stage in which Ukraine might regain large parts of its territory.
TVN24 reporter Tomasz Kanik spoke with "The Atlantic" journalist and Pulitzer Award laureate Anne Applebaum who is currently in Kyiv.
"I think that this might be the crucial moment of this war. Of course apart from February and March of last year and the battle of Kyiv. The Ukrainians are preparing for a huge offensive. We don't know it will end," Applebaum said.
She also called the current stage of the conflict "a stable war". "The frontline is shifting 100 meters one way, 100 in the other. It's not that nothing is happening as the fighting goes on, but this line remains stable. We are waiting for a moment in which the Ukrainians make a change and regain a large part (of their territory - edit.)" - Applebaum said. "It's not only about changing the situation on the front, but also to change the mental situation," she stressed.
According to the acclaimed journalist, the only ultimate outcome of this war is Russia's defeat. "It would be catastrophic if a decision was made that the current frontline was to become the borderline. The Russians would gain time to prepare again and carry out another attack next year or in five years. The war would not be over. The war will end only the moment the Russians understand they have lost. Then we will have peace in Europe. If we don't achieve this, the war will carry on," she said.
Anne Applebaum also underscored the huge U.S. support for Ukraine. She added, however, that the U.S. would hold the 2024 presidential election in 18 months, and that some Republicans were against such a widespread support for Ukraine. "Everything can change and the Russians know it too. They will prefer to wait until something changes, maybe in the United States, maybe some other policy (would be pursued - edit.). At the moment they are motivated not to do anything and keep this line," she argued.
"I don't know of the Polish government is pro-European and pro-Atlantic enough. I'm very grateful for their approach to the war and towards Ukraine. But why do we need this dispute with the Germans, the French, Europe, and allies? If the Americans withdraw (their support - edit.), then they (Germany etc. - edit.) will be very important, and yet we have no leverage there," Applebaum said.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, TVN24
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24