Nobody in Ukraine expects peace in 24 hours or 100 days. We have adapted to life next to Russia.
We don’t believe in “memorandums”. We prepare, survive, and fight.
Anne Applebaumʼs fantastic dispatch from Lviv. 1/
At the Lviv Forum, Applebaum asked 200 journalists if Istanbul talks could bring a ceasefire.
No one raised a hand. Some laughed. Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi was asked the same. He answered simply: “No.” 2/
No one raised a hand. Some laughed. Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi was asked the same. He answered simply: “No.” 2/
Putin’s advisor Vladimir Medinsky told Ukrainians: “We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?”
Then he mocked a delegate who lost a nephew. Russia demanded Ukraine retreat from its own land — and threatened more annexations. 3/
Then he mocked a delegate who lost a nephew. Russia demanded Ukraine retreat from its own land — and threatened more annexations. 3/
This is classic Russian pressure. Not diplomacy, but intimidation: escalate, insult, delay.
And the West still pretends it's negotiation. 4/
And the West still pretends it's negotiation. 4/
Trump says Putin wants to look good and is tired of the war.
But Putin banned the word “war” in Russia — using it in public can get you 8 years in prison. 5/
But Putin banned the word “war” in Russia — using it in public can get you 8 years in prison. 5/
Putin sacrifices thousands of soldiers for 100 yards of land.
He redirected the economy to arms production and erased basic freedoms. He’s not tired. He’s all-in. 6/
He redirected the economy to arms production and erased basic freedoms. He’s not tired. He’s all-in. 6/
Ukraine now fights with drones. It built over 2M last year.
In April alone, drone units hit 83,000 Russian targets — 5% more than in March.
Brigades are rewarded for precision: more kills = more drones, more munitions. 7/
In April alone, drone units hit 83,000 Russian targets — 5% more than in March.
Brigades are rewarded for precision: more kills = more drones, more munitions. 7/
One example: “Khartia” brigade recently evacuated a wounded soldier using only ground robots. Ukraine is innovating under fire — at scale. 8/
No one in Ukraine fears the war continuing — because they know the alternative.
If Russia went, people like Sadovyi and those journalists will be imprisoned or killed, like others in occupied cities. 9/
If Russia went, people like Sadovyi and those journalists will be imprisoned or killed, like others in occupied cities. 9/
Anne Applebaum: Ukraine won’t stop. Not because of optimism, but because they know exactly what defeat looks like. 10Х
Source: theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
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