Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement on Monday regarding Russian president Putin’s constant attack on its energy borders on his effort to show dominance and present a success story to his society while all of Europe stands with Ukraine in the ongoing war.
“Putin is in an impasse when it comes to real successes on the battlefield. The situation looks more like a stalemate for him. Why? Because for us it’s very hard, but we are at home and defending what is ours. Society defends, the military defends, the whole body of the state defends itself from this attack.
“His situation is different. First, he has radicalized public opinion toward this issue through information. Second, he promised objectives he has not achieved, so he needs to show some gains.
“And that is why all the energy attacks are dangerous – to demonstrate: “Look, I supposedly have a plan – there we pressure with weapons, and here we attack.” And why do these attacks turn into terrorist acts, why do civilians die, and many are wounded, why are people left without electricity and water? Because he cannot create tension in our society in any other way.
“He understands that we have united the whole state and rallied all of Europe around us, and breaking that unity is very difficult. He is trying to do it.
“Now he needs to show that he dominates. He wants to find some operations he can present as successes to his society.
“These are drones, or an energy attack on us, or a cyberattack on Germany, the United Kingdom, France, or an attack on choice, political choice, during elections in some country where far-right representatives could come to power – who, let’s say, are ideologically closer to today’s Putin.
“This is hybrid warfare. And it is exactly like that. It is a hybrid war in Europe, and Ukraine pays the highest price for it, because the physical war is taking place on our territory.”