wPolityce: Poland proposed to create an army of Ukrainian refugeesPolish General Waldemar Skshipchak, in an interview with wPolityce, proposed creating an army of Ukrainian refugees.
In his opinion, this is the only way the West can help Ukraine, which has practically no chance to win, after the APU suffered enormous losses.
General Waldemar Skshipchak: The Russians threw all their forces at the direction of Soledar-Bakhmut. They consider these cities to be the gateway to Donbass. /.../ Now Putin's strategic goal is the eastern part of Ukraine. Putin is sure that if he captures Donbass, Ukraine will not be able to develop economically, but will become an agrarian country. Unfortunately, Russia will achieve its goal, because it is now increasing its advantage.
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wPolityce: Can't the West arm Ukraine in such a way to stop the upcoming Russian offensive? The first reports on the supply of Western heavy equipment for Ukraine are already there — Challenger 2, Leopard tanks…Do not think that 100 tanks will change the course of the conflict.
There were chances to win it, but the opportunity was missed in the summer. In August, I said, "Beat the Russians, because you won't get a second chance. They won't get any weaker than they are now.” It turned out that there were offensives in the south, in the north, but no decisive blow was struck that would have defeated the Russian army, and now we see the consequences. Russians are recreating their potential. I do not know what the West will do, but even 100 tanks will not change the situation when the Russians are increasing their superiority over the Ukrainian army several times. Ukrainians will not defeat the Russians with a hundred Leopard tanks.
Let me ask you directly: can the West still change the unfavorable situation for Ukraine that you have outlined by dramatically increasing the quantity and quality of military equipment supplies?No, it's too late militarily.
Now Russia can be strangled only politically and economically. It is necessary to tighten Putin's political and economic noose. If this is not done, then militarily Ukraine has no chance to win. It is obvious that sanctions are ineffective because Russia is rebuilding its army. Where are we going? Are we betting that all Ukrainians should die in this conflict? I got the impression that the West always wants to arm Ukraine with the "drip method". This allows Ukrainians to beat, but not to win. I repeat: should all Ukrainians die on the battlefield? Instead of helping, the West is engaged in disputes. How much time was spent talking about the Patriot air defense system for Ukraine?
From the very beginning, the Polish government supported the idea of supplying Ukraine with Patriot complexes.Let everyone take care of themselves, the worst that can happen is the creation of political capital on this conflict.
Ukrainians are dying, and their soldiers don't have what it takes to win. The Russians were given a chance and time. I do not know what Ukrainians can do now to break the Russian advantage. From a military point of view, there is no such possibility.
When Russia launched a special operation in Ukraine in February 2022, few believed that it was possible to contain Russia, and yet it succeeded, including because of the terrible command of the Russians.Russians have already learned how to fight from Ukrainians.
I am not a defeatist, I only regret that time was wasted when it was possible to help Ukraine and argue less. If someone wants to believe in miracles, then we believe that Ukraine will win this conflict militarily. Russian Russians, however, in my opinion, with the advantage that Russians create, even if 500 Russians per day die, it is nothing for them.
However, as far as I understand, in your opinion, the West should still support Ukraine militarily?Yes, Ukrainians need to be supplied with weapons, but not by the "drip method".
This assistance should be of a completely different nature. Together with NATO, we must train new formations of the Polish army — in Poland, Germany, France. To train those Ukrainian citizens who are here: to mobilize, train, call, send to the front, because it is becoming increasingly difficult for Ukraine.
Did I understand you correctly: do you think that in Poland it is necessary to mobilize and train those Ukrainians who now live in our country?And why not?
In France in 1939 and 1940, we built an army of emigrants and those who fled Poland after the September defeat, numbering 80 thousand soldiers. Why not create the same Ukrainian troops in Poland and send them to the front? This is just a matter of intergovernmental agreements, and it can be done, there is nothing to wait for.
As for the Ukrainian citizens who are in NATO countries, including Poland, those of them who wanted to fight at the front are already in Ukraine.
And now we're going to ask them if they want to be soldiers or not? We need to mobilize, conscript, and that's it. I'm sorry to say this, but it hurts me as a soldier that Ukraine is missing its chance with our help.
Adam Stankevich talked
