Putin’s Triumphs: Ukraine Crisis Shadows Lithuania’s Landsbergis

Gabriel Landsbergis: Putin’s Triumphs and the West’s Response

Introduction

Gabriel Landsbergis, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister from 2020 to 2024, is a prominent figure in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As a keen observer of international relations and a leader with close ties to the region, Landsbergis offers a unique perspective on the course of the war and the role of the West.

Putin’s Victories

In an interview with DIE ZEIT, Landsbergis identified three key victories that Russian President Vladimir Putin has achieved since the invasion of Ukraine:

1. Preventing NATO Involvement: Putin successfully deterred NATO from intervening directly in the conflict, despite early pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to close Ukrainian airspace.
2. Nuclear Escalation Threat: Putin’s threats of nuclear escalation created fear and hesitation among Western powers, slowing down their provision of aid to Ukraine.
3. Shadow War: Russia has engaged in a covert campaign of sabotage and disruption against Western interests, including cutting undersea cables and planting explosives on airplanes. Landsbergis emphasized that while the West debates its response, Putin takes decisive action.

The West’s Response

Landsbergis criticized the West’s cautious and reactive approach to Putin’s aggression. He argued that the hesitation to provide Ukraine with sufficient military support has allowed Russia to gain the upper hand.

He called for a more assertive response from the West, including:

1. Increased Military Aid: The West must significantly increase its military support to Ukraine, providing them with the weapons and equipment they need to defend themselves.
2. Strengthening NATO: NATO must strengthen its defenses and deter further Russian aggression by increasing its presence in Eastern Europe and engaging in joint exercises.
3. Consequences for Russia: The West must impose severe economic and political consequences on Russia for its war crimes and human rights violations.

The Importance of Unity

Landsbergis emphasized the importance of unity among Western powers in confronting Putin’s aggression. He warned that divisions and disagreements would only embolden Russia. He called for a common strategy that combines military, economic, and political measures to pressure Putin to end the war and withdraw from Ukraine.

Conclusion

Gabriel Landsbergis’s analysis of Putin’s victories and the West’s response highlights the complex and challenging nature of the conflict in Ukraine. He argues that a more assertive and unified approach is necessary to deter Putin and support Ukraine in its fight for independence.

Landsbergis’s insights serve as a reminder that the war in Ukraine is not only a local conflict but has broader implications for international security and the rule of law. The West must remain steadfast in its support for Ukraine and work together to prevent further escalation by Putin’s regime.