Russia’s war against Ukraine has become a strategic mistake for Moscow and, at the same time, an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its own security. This was stated by the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom (2021–2025), member of the Kyiv Security Forum Security Council, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, during the 18th Annual Kyiv Security Forum on the theme “Darkness or Dawn: Is There Light Ahead?”
According to him, the consequences of the war do not match the Kremlin’s expectations, and Ukraine is effectively containing a threat to the entire continent.
“Russia has become embroiled in a reckless war. We need to take advantage of this. We should be proud of what Ukraine is doing for all of Europe,” Radakin emphasized.
The admiral stressed that this experience should also serve as a warning to other states, including China, about the real consequences of aggressive policies.
“It needs to be explained that you can be an aggressor and try to pursue your ambitions, but in real life things rarely go according to plan,” he said.
According to Radakin, the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin have produced the opposite effect — NATO and Europe have significantly strengthened coordination and defense efforts.
“Putin has caused NATO and Europe to coordinate their efforts. At the last summit, a decision was made to almost double defense spending and military targets,” he noted.
He added that a consensus has already formed in Europe on the need to take defense more seriously, including increasing production and resources.
He also said that demands for higher defense spending had long come from the United States, including from Donald Trump, and are now being implemented.
At the same time, he warned that the world is becoming more dangerous and that weapons stockpiles in many countries are depleted, requiring restoration and modernization.
“Our stockpiles are half depleted. We need full stockpiles and modernization of what we have. We need an ‘arsenal of democracy.’ And this must be a transatlantic alliance together with the United States and all democracies of the world,” Radakin concluded.
