President Joe Biden made a striking remark during a press conference on July 13 in Helsinki, following the NATO summit in Lithuania, declaring that Russia has “already lost the war” in Ukraine.
“Putin has already lost the war. Putin has a real problem,” Biden declared.
This comment was made in the presence of Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto, as a response to a question from Wall Street Journal reporter Andrew Restuccia.
The journalist queried whether President Biden’s previous remarks might encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to persist with the war and hinder peace negotiations.
President Biden, alongside President Niinisto, reiterated his stance that Ukraine would not become a NATO member until the armed conflict came to an end, emphasizing that such a move would not influence Putin’s actions as he believes Russia has already lost the war.
Biden further noted that Putin faces a real problem in navigating the situation, expressing his belief that the Russian leader has no chance of emerging victorious.
When questioned about the potential for a prolonged stalemate in Ukraine, President Biden outlined two key reasons why he does not believe the war will “go on for years.”
Firstly, he highlighted that Russia lacks the necessary resources and capacity to sustain the armed conflict indefinitely. Secondly, he stated that Putin will eventually have to weigh whether continuing the war serves Russia’s economic and political interests.
While acknowledging that he cannot foresee the ultimate outcome, President Biden expressed hope that Ukrainian troops will make significant progress in their counteroffensive efforts, which could pave the way for a negotiated settlement in the near future.
Over the past few weeks, President Biden has been actively engaged in diplomatic meetings centered around NATO, with a primary focus on the situation in Ukraine. Alongside these discussions, some meetings have also touched on Sweden’s potential membership in the alliance.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, President Biden’s statements underscore the significance of finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. The international community is closely monitoring the developments and remains hopeful for a diplomatic breakthrough that can bring stability to the region.
