Both the EU and the US disagree on continued military and financial support to Ukraine.
Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi believes that the resources are crucial for the future.
– If they don’t get support, more Ukrainians will die, he says in Efter fem.
The war continues to rage in Ukraine and the winter weather is making a real difference at the front with both ice and mud.
– The battles will not stop. They will continue to shoot at each other, but everything will be slower, says lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi in Efter fem.
Continued support is important
It’s not just the weather that makes everything more difficult. Both the EU’s and the US’s military support have been widely discussed recently.
In the US, the money the country gives may run out at the turn of the year, and President Joe Biden wants to give a $106 billion aid package to Ukraine and Israel, but is having difficulty getting it through Congress.
At the same time, the EU countries are having difficulty agreeing on the long-term budget, which could jeopardize the 50 billion euros they have promised in financial support to Ukraine.
– Support for Ukraine is crucial for Ukraine’s ability to continue fighting and perhaps liberate the country. If they don’t get support, more Ukrainians will die. It is not that Russia can take large parts of Ukraine in the short term next year, but it is decisive, says Joakim Paasikivi.
Paasikivi: Domestic political deadlocks
Paasikivi believes that it is about domestic political deadlocks and that everything is quite a bit about Ukraine.
– Many say they will continue to support. But words are not enough, he says.
In order for Ukraine to be able to continue its offensive, support is needed and, above all, newer things that have not been seen before, says the lieutenant colonel.
– You need new equipment systems. Partly much more of what they are already getting, then they are looking forward to the F-16 plane that will arrive next year. That in itself will not change the situation, but it will improve it, he says.