“Russia is only convinced by force”, analyzes General Dominique Trinquand

The former head of the French military mission to the UN approves the United States’ decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia, after Moscow’s massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“Russia is only convinced by force”analyzed Sunday November 17 on franceinfo General Dominique Trinquand, former head of the French military mission to the UN, after the announcement made by the United States to authorize Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russia.

“This is a turning point for the United States. We have been asking for this authorization for a long time”recalls General Dominique Trinquand. “The aim of this authorization is to strike in depth to weaken the Russian system.” According to him, “it’s about putting Russia in a position to negotiate”while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted “do everything” to obtain an end to the war in his country in 2025 by “diplomatic means”. Dominique Trinquand underlines that Vladimir Putin “doesn’t seem inclined to negotiate”. It is therefore necessary “absolutely make it clear” to the Russian president “that he is not in the position of strength that he imagines and that it will be necessary to negotiate.” It’s necessary “weaken it”, adds the officer.

This decision by Joe Biden comes as he sees “that the situation could swing to one side or the other”believes General Trinquant. While diplomatic negotiation is “opened by Ukraine, (…) iWe must now convince Russia, the general explains again. And Russia is only convinced by force. So these long-range missiles are part of this deployment of force to convince Russia.”

The choice of the American president also comes as Russia massively struck the Ukrainian energy network, leaving 10 dead and around twenty injured. General Dominique Trinquand recalls that “It’s been three winters that the Russians have been hitting Ukrainian energy in this way, with more or less missiles. So this is nothing new. (…) The Ukrainian forces who are fighting courageously are doing what they can on the ground.”adds the soldier. It is therefore “by typing the logistics, that is to say the munitions, the air bases, the Russian fuel, that you can really weaken the device, he assures. And so these missiles, that’s their major use.”