Davos, Switzerland, Jan 16 (EFE).- The war in Ukraine will continue for years unless the international community continues applying pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Ukraine\u2019s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zelenskyy was speaking at the World Economic Forum being held this week in Davos, Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery reduction in pressure on the aggressor adds years to the war,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cBut every investment in confidence in the defender shortens the war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He cautioned the international community against the possibility of \u201cfreezing\u201d the conflict that is poised to enter its third year amid a stalemate on the front in eastern Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPutin is a predator who is not satisfied with frozen products,\u201d Zelenskyy warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ukrainian leader said he was confident that the European Union would continue supporting Ukraine financially and militarily, something which European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her speech, von der Leyen said Russia\u2019s invasion represented both a military and diplomatic failure, as it has resulted in the expansion of Nato with the accession of Finland and Sweden and pushed Ukraine further into Europe\u2019s sphere of influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll this tells us that Ukraine can prevail in this war. But we must continue to empower their resistance. Ukrainians need predictable financing throughout 2024 and beyond,\u201d von der Leyen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey need capabilities to deter future attacks by russia. and they also need hope. They need to know that, with their struggle, they will earn a better future for their children,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, who was also attending the Forum, acknowledged that while the situation on the ground in eastern Ukraine was \u201cextremely difficult\u201d and that Kyiv\u2019s offensive launched last summer had not yielded \u201cthe results we hoped for,\u201d there is also “cause for optimism.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Norwegian politician pointed out that Russia had failed in its objectives to \u201ctake Kyiv within days and control Ukraine within weeks\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUkraine has survived as a sovereign, independent nation, which is a big win,\u201d Stoltenberg said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe people of Ukraine have never trusted Russia less than they do today and they want to be part of the West (…) This is a big loss for Russia,\u201d Stoltenberg said. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
int-ks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"