Ukraine warns Europe Russia is already at war and will ‘escalate escalating’
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Europe needs to “get serious” about the existential threat posed to it by Russia, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister has said, warning that Vladimir Putin will “escalate escalating”.
in an interview with the Guardian, Sergiy Kyslytsia – Kyiv’s former ambassador to the UN – said the Kremlin was already at war with Europe. He said Russia’s recent drone incursions against several EU countries were well-calculated and an attempt to “move the red lines”.
“I’m sure Putin gets emotional if not physical satisfaction humiliating the west by showing what he perceives as his super-strength,” Kyslytsia said,adding that the Russian president’s reckless actions risked antagonising a White House that appeared to be cooling on him. “It’s a boomerang thing,” Kyslytsia said.
What Russia dose next depends on whether Europe and the Trump administration show collective resolve, he suggested. Without a decisive transatlantic response, Putin would “escalate escalating”, he predicted, with more actions designed to disrupt and paralyse the continent.
[Danish police officers scour and area after Copenhagen airport was closed due to drone reports. Photograph: Steven Knap/Reuters]
In recent weeks Russia has sent decoy drones across the border into Poland and dispatched fighter jets that violated Estonia’s airspace.Incidents involving drones that restricted flights at Munich and Copenhagen airports have raised fears of Russian involvement. Moscow has denied duty.
Kyslytsia claimed Russia had infiltrated EU countries with “agents and moles” he said were responsible for drone flights over airports in Denmark and Germany, as well as in allied military bases. He described them as konservy – literally tin cans in Ukrainian – who could be activated or “opened” by Moscow when needed.
This week, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met EU leaders at a summit in Copenhagen, where the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said Europe faced its most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the second world war and that all countries were affected by the “Russian hybrid war”.
Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Suggests Shifting Perceptions of the War
Recent comments from Sergiy Kyslytsia, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, suggest a growing belief that international perceptions of the war in Ukraine are evolving in Kyiv’s favor.Despite continued Russian military advances, albeit slow ones, Kyslytsia points to changes in Western attitudes and russia’s battlefield failures as indicators of a turning tide.
Shifting International Sentiment
Kyslytsia, speaking recently, noted that “people forget where we were six months ago.” He indicated a more optimistic outlook, citing a perceived shift in Washington’s approach, “more serious” discussions within Europe regarding support for Ukraine, and Russia’s inability to achieve a decisive military breakthrough during its summer offensive. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/21/ukraine-un-ambassador-sergiy-kyslytsia-russia-war
This assessment comes as the conflict enters a phase characterized by attritional warfare, particularly in eastern Ukraine. While Russia continues to make incremental gains, especially around Avdiivka, its initial expectations of a swift victory have not materialized. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-forces-intensifying-attacks-near-avdiivka-2023-11-22/
Kyslytsia: A Prominent Voice for Ukraine
Sergiy Kyslytsia has become a highly visible and effective communicator for the Ukrainian goverment since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. He is known for his active presence on social media and his skillful diplomacy.
He gained prominence early in the conflict when, during a speech by Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, to the UN Security Council, Kyslytsia deliberately and visibly read a book titled What’s Wrong With Diplomacy? This act became a symbolic gesture of defiance and resonated widely in Ukraine, solidifying his status as a national figure.
Current Battlefield Situation (as of November 23, 2023)
The situation on the ground remains dynamic and challenging.Key developments include:
* Eastern Front: Intense fighting continues around Avdiivka, with Russian forces attempting to encircle the city. Ukrainian forces are putting up strong resistance, but the situation is described as very difficult.
* Southern Front: Fighting persists in the Zaporizhzhia region, with both sides attempting to gain ground. Ukrainian forces continue limited counteroffensive operations.
* Long-Range Strikes: Both sides continue to employ long-range strike capabilities, targeting infrastructure and military assets. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-updates
Implications and Future Outlook
Kyslytsia’s assessment reflects a strategic effort to highlight perceived shifts in international support and to counter narratives suggesting a stalemate or Russian advantage. While the battlefield situation remains complex and Russia continues to hold territory, the Ukrainian government believes that sustained western support and Russia’s ongoing challenges are creating conditions favorable to Ukraine in the long term.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the conflict. Continued military aid from the United States and Europe will be vital for Ukraine to maintain its defensive capabilities and possibly launch further counteroffensives. The evolving geopolitical landscape and the potential for diplomatic initiatives will also play a significant role in shaping the future of the war.