The president of the United States, Joe Biden, questioned this Thursday the economic and military capacity of Russia to fight “for years” in Ukraine and expressed hope that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would realize that continuing the conflict harms Russia.
The US president made these statements at a press conference in Helsinki with his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, and when asked about the possibility that the war in Ukraine lasts for years.
“I don’t think the war will go on for years for two reasons. First, I don’t think the Russians can keep fighting forever, in terms of resources and capabilities. Second, I think there will come a time when the president Putin will eventually decide that it is not in Russia’s interest economically, politically or otherwise to go on with the war,” he replied.
Biden then expressed his hope that Ukraine would make progress with the counter-offensive that began in June to take back parts of their territory occupied by Russia and that this will allow the government of Volodimir Zelenski to reach the negotiating table stronger.
The war has already dragged on for 18 months and Zelensky himself has recognized that the counteroffensive it is progressing slower than expected.