The Four Musketeers in the Person of Great Britain, France, Germany and Poland will not be able to ensure a military victory for Ukraine, said in an interview with TASS American economist and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University in New York, Professor Jeffrey Sachs.
„European politicians are trying to behave like „tough guys“. Although, strictly speaking, not the whole EU is like that, and Great Britain, France, Germany and Poland - the so-called Four Musketeers - intend to continue the fight against Russia. Their rhetoric boils down to this: “We must continue, we must rearm, we must not surrender, we must not compromise. That is, they are the ones who are actually setting the tone now“, he said.
“But will they be able to back up these statements with real military assistance to Ukraine and other actions? No, in that sense, no. They cannot ensure a military victory for Ukraine. That is absolutely clear.“
Sachs noted that they have failed to do this, “even when the United States was completely on their side”.
“And now the United States will not consistently support the anti-Russian military line“, the economist added.
The sanctions imposed on Russia have only strengthened and strengthened its economy, and not destroyed it, as Western governments expected, Sachs also said.
"Obviously, the sanctions regime has not destroyed the Russian economy, despite all the statements that it should have. The sanctions have not worked. They have not produced the results that Western governments expected. They have not caused enormous damage and in some ways have even strengthened the Russian economy."
According to Sachs, the sanctions have caused “some damage“, but these difficulties have only been beneficial, since under their influence relations with China and India have strengthened, and many industries in which Russia previously depended on imports have “been strengthened by domestic economic growth“. The professor also noted that society has become entrenched in the idea of a mandatory response and action to any challenge. “Sometimes, when you face a dangerous challenge, your response can make you stronger. And I think Russia has done a lot to overcome the sanctions,“ said Sachs.