UK at OSCE: Putin badly miscalculated in Ukraine

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, UK military adviser Ian Stubbs said this at a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna on Wednesday, February 22.

At the beginning of his speech, the British diplomat recalled that Russia, since November 2021, repeatedly lied over the true purpose of its extraordinary military build-up on Ukraine's borders and in illegally annexed Crimea. He said that Russia not only ignored its commitments under the Vienna Document, "but weaponized this Confidence and Security Building measure to support its disinformation campaign and preparations for its invasion."

"Russia said there would be no war. But Russia invaded Ukraine and, in doing so, created the biggest refugee crisis and war in Europe since the Second World War," Stubbs said.

In this regard, he recalled that Britain had repeatedly warned that any further Russian military incursion into Ukraine "would be a massive strategic mistake." "Putin tried to divide and undermine NATO. However, Russia's own aggressive actions have resulted in a more united and even stronger NATO, ready to defend every inch of Allied territory," Stubbs said.

He also added that Russia's invasion "has demonstrated the strength, resolve and determination of the courageous Ukrainian people as they defend their homeland." With support from their friends and partners, Ukraine "has shown that agility, ingenuity and great leadership can have a devastating effect against a so-called super power," he said.

The British diplomat drew attention to the wave of violence and crimes unleashed by the Russian military and emphasized that the atrocities committed by them "are a great moral stain upon the Russian military, one which will never be forgotten." He added that there has been enormous cost to the people of Russia too.

"Whilst Russia may have had some tactical successes, these have come at huge cost to the Russian military. Morale is pitiful. Casualties are immense and their troops are running out of key weapons and ammunition. Russian forces have lost a significant amount of their combat power. It is clear that Russia is losing strategically and at great cost to the families of those killed in this needless war. Putin badly miscalculated in Ukraine," Stubbs said.

He said the United Kingdom is "proud to support our Ukrainian friends as they fight to liberate their homeland."

"With every day that passes, Russian forces inflict yet more pain and suffering. We must all recognize that giving Ukraine the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of its sovereign territory is the swiftest and only path to a just and lasting peace. Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence will be fully restored," he said.