Finnish expert critiques the US stance on Ukraine and suggests a different approach
7:21 AM EST, December 4, 2023
Finnish military specialist and representative to the Eduskunta, Jarno Limnéll, discusses strategies to thwart a victory by Putin. In an interview with "Iltalehti" newspaper, he disputes the American opinion that suggests Ukraine should abandon its current plan.
Jarno Limnéll, a Finnish war expert and representative to the Eduskunta, disagrees with the view of American professor Charles Kupchan, who thinks that the destiny of Ukraine is sealed and that to end the war, Kyiv should relinquish its aspiration of reclaiming Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. On the contrary, Limnéll believes that Russia's forfeiture of its hold over Crimea is the key to unlocking peace.
The Finnish expert argues that a victory for Russia would sabotage a system that promotes non-intervention in the independence and sovereignty of other nations by force. He believes that capitulating and relinquishing Crimea will not conclude the war for Ukraine. It will simply pave the path for further Russian expansion. "The war is not just about Ukraine, it's about Finland and Europe as well," he suggests.
Limnéll calls upon the West, Kyiv's strongest ally, to unite and concentrate on providing financial and military support. "Perhaps the entire West needs stronger leadership," he speculates, and adds, "We must continue to bolster and amplify our defensive industry for the benefit of both ourselves and Ukraine."
During an interview with "Iltalehti", the representative to the Eduskunta vocalizes the need to raise awareness among Russian citizens about the unfolding situation in Ukraine. He also proposes that Ukrainian air strikes on targets in Russia are justifiable, provided they do not target civilians.
In Limnéll's opinion, the key to defeating Vladimir Putin lies in supporting new technology, including cybernetics. "We have to impose such pressure on Russia that the benefits of war become invisible to them," he explains.
Also of paramount importance, according to the Finnish expert, is delivering humanitarian aid to Ukrainians, particularly as their power grid is being dismantled by Russia among other things.