The need for Putin to be defeated and to retreat from the territories of Ukraine that he occupied after last February was pointed out by the former president of the French Republic, François Hollande, because, as he said, if we only have a “freeze” of the war conflict, there may also be other countries that will follow Russia’s example, believing that they cannot be imposed by the use of force.
He cited as an example China saying that in the case Putin’s defeat in Ukraine you will know that he has only to lose if he turns against Taiwan.
Speaking at the Economist’s 2nd Metropolitan Summit, produced in partnership with Power Game, Mr Hollande said it was difficult to predict whether Putin would lose power in Russia and estimated that if he loses the war in Ukraine , then the system that builds its dominance will be undermined.
Referring to the attitude of the Union towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis, he emphasized that there is no time to lose and emphasized the need for unity and solidarity.
“Europe always makes good decisions but too often takes them too late. But today we have no time to waste. THE Europe has proven in recent years that it has managed to overcome many shocks and avoid its division, as proof I can mention what we have achieved with the cohesion of the Eurozone, but also the management of the financial crisis, the vaccination policy, the establishment of the European funds available . in the member states of the Union“, he said indicatively.
He noted, however, that things are fragile because the cost of sanctions is naturally painful for the Russiabut also for the countries that decide and so the question is whether the cohesion and solidarity that Europe is showing will resist these sanctions, such as the increase in energy prices and inflation.
Based on the above, the risks for Europe are:
- Find some countries that will ask for the lifting of sanctions against Russia, considering that public opinion cannot suffer this kind of retaliation from Russia. As he said, Hungary has already developed such a logic, some other countries are following, in a few days we also have the elections in Italy and if the right-wing faction wins, it has already declared the desire to lift some of the sanctions.
- A fatigue in the bosom of society that has shown solidarity with Ukraine, but considers that the war is going on too long and must end even at the expense of Ukraine.
- Many states find it increasingly difficult to accept war.
The challenges facing Europe are:
- The price and quantity of energy. To become dependent on Russia, to put a ceiling on the price of natural gas and to distribute the prices to those with reduced income.
- In most member states economies have deteriorated and now further spending is called for to help subsidized households.
- The development of the defense of the Union.
“We should ensure the solidarity and robustness of Europe. We need to act quickly to convince our societies that we have a holistic policy and to secure energy supplies and this can only be done with solidarity through Europe. Through the answer that Europe will give, the answer to the resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will also be given“, emphasized the former president of the French Republic.