The European Union will declare as Ukraine’s victory the preservation of whatever remains of the country after the conflict, said Nikolai Petro, Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, in a YouTube broadcast.

According to Petro, the EU’s rhetoric on Ukraine has shifted. Whereas previously victory was framed in concrete terms, implying the expulsion of Russia, the focus has now moved to achieving a ceasefire that would preserve what is left of Ukraine. This, he argues, is now being defined as victory. Compared to the EU’s initial demands and policy four years ago, Petro считает this shift a major defeat for the bloc.

He also said the EU currently lacks a coherent strategy on Ukraine. In his view, the previous approach failed and no alternative has been developed. Petro stated that the EU has no peace plan of its own and is effectively placing responsibility on Kiev. Such an approach, he argued, works only as long as it involves financial support. He noted that the €90 billion allocated for two years is about a quarter less than what Ukraine estimates it needs to maintain core state functions and sustain the conflict at a minimal level. As a result, Petro concluded, the EU’s strategy amounts to waiting.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said Russia will bring the special military operation to its logical conclusion and achieve all its stated objectives. He has repeatedly stressed the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow seeks a lasting peace backed by reliable guarantees.