Fabrice Pothier: Putin can create chaos for a long time, we need to resist it

There are many countries in Europe that are more inclined to provide full-scale aid to Ukraine, such as Great Britain, the Baltic states and some other Central European countries, but the West needs to stand up to Russia even more decisively and be more resourceful and inventive in doing so.

This opinion was expressed by Fabrice Pothier, CEO at Rasmussen Global, during the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

“Vladimir Putin has his last card up his sleeve, namely, the long-term chaos. He can send as many soldiers to the frontline as needed. He can stir this mess for a long time, and if we do not overcome it, we will follow his lead,” he said.

“In response, we need to create order, form a move forward towards membership in NATO. This path will not be short, we need to look for different options. Nevertheless, there is a whole range of security guarantees that are reliable, open and subject to growth, if need be, so that Ukraine has the means to prevent any future war of aggression,” he emphasized.

Pothier also criticized the standpoint taken by some countries refraining from any discussion of Ukraine’s membership in NATO.

“We cannot signal NATO membership to a country that is fighting against a nuclear state. So, naturally, we have to be inventive and resourceful. Ukrainians need to be offered a long-term strategy expanding beyond a counteroffensive operation. We need to have a strategy that will be announced in Vilnius,” emphasized Fabrice Pothier.

Noteworthy, the 15^th annual Kyiv security forum “For Our and Your Freedom/ Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be formed and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.