EU Ambassador to Ukraine: ‘This war lasts longer than the Soviet Union fought in World War II’

This week, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has crossed a “grim milestone”, 1,418 days, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova has said on Facebook. Today this war has lasted longer than the Soviet Union fought in World War II.

But compared to the USSR, which was attacked, “Putin chose this war, planned it and launched it. He owns it,” Mathernova reminded.

As a result, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed, and over six million were forced to flee their homes.

“Right now, despite the international attempts at peace negotiations, Russia is cynically torturing Ukrainians – systematically attacking energy infrastructure, hospitals, and homes in a campaign designed to freeze, terrorise, and break the spirit of an entire nation. And yet: Ukraine still stands. Around 80% of its internationally recognised territory remains free. Last year, Russia seized less than 1% of Ukraine’s land!” Mathernova said.

She also made it clear that time is not on Moscow’s side: “Russia’s economy is overheating. Oil revenues are shrinking. War reserves are draining. Regional budgets are collapsing. Recruitment bonuses are being cut. And the war is coming home to Russia – through Ukrainians deep strikes.”

According to Mathernova, the sustained pressure on Russia – military, economic, political – is working.

“History is clear: imperial wars fail when democracies stay united,” the Ambassador concluded.

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