Paris, Dec 19: Britain and France reiterated their determination Tuesday that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine ends in failure, with the U.K. foreign minister saying that Ukraine’s allies must better leverage their economic might to vastly outmatch Moscow’s war machine. The renewed insistence from U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French counterpart Catherine Colonna that Russia can’t be rewarded for its aggression comes as wartime aid from Ukraine’s biggest single military backer – the United States – is faltering.
Cameron, speaking after talks with Colonna in Paris, said that if the economies of Ukraine’s Western partners are calculated together, “we outmatch the Russian economy by 25 to one or more.” “What we have to do is make that economic strength and that commitment pay,” he said. “If we can, I have no doubt that we can make sure that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin loses and it’s essential that he does lose.” Neither Cameron nor Colonna announced new aid for Ukraine in their comments to reporters. They took no questions.
“Hand in hand since the beginning, our two countries are working together to ensure that the Russian aggression is not rewarded, is a failure,” Colonna said.
Cameron said that U.K. and French support for Ukraine will continue “for as long as it takes.” Likening the war to “a play that comes in different acts,” he also said that Ukraine’s allies must determine its next phase.
Russia has free hand in Ukraine conflict: Putin
Russia now has the initiative in the Ukraine conflict and is at liberty to conduct military action as it sees fit, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
Participating in a Defense Ministry meeting on Tuesday, the President analysed the frontline situation as part of a report on Russian military achievements in 2023, RT reported.
In his speech, Putin stressed that the country had no intention to change the objectives that it set for itself when it decided to deploy troops against Ukraine in early 2022. Describing the current advantage of Russian troops, Putin said: “In essence, we are doing what we consider necessary, what we want. Wherever… commanders decide active defense is best, it takes place. And where it is needed, we improve our positions.” Meanwhile, Ukraine has suffered significant casualties and is running out of reserves, he added. (Agencies)
