UK’s Lord Ricketts: Putin Has Already Lost the War

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A senior British security expert, Lord Ricketts, has declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already lost the war in Ukraine. He made the remarks during a TV appearance on Sky News, coinciding with Ukraine’s Independence Day, a significant milestone commemorating the country’s sovereignty.

Lord Ricketts, who served as the UK’s national security adviser from 2010 to 2012, emphasised that despite reports of incremental Russian gains on the battlefield, the broader picture tells a different story. He stated, “If you look at the big picture, they’ve really lost badly already.”

One key point Lord Ricketts raised is that Russia’s invasion has inadvertently strengthened NATO. Before the conflict, Finland and Sweden were not NATO members. Their decision to join following the war’s escalation marks a significant shift in European geopolitics—precisely the opposite of Russia’s aims.

Moreover, he highlighted a newfound resolve within Europe to bolster defence spending and support Ukraine. This unity among Western allies, he noted, stands in direct opposition to Putin’s strategy.

Lord Ricketts also referenced the staggering human cost of the conflict. He spoke of “a million casualties killed and wounded” on the Russian side, alongside “hundreds of thousands” on the Ukrainian side, underscoring the devastating toll. In his view, Putin has achieved none of his objectives while inadvertently creating a pro-Western, democratic Ukraine.

Summing up, he remarked that Putin appears to have misjudged the situation badly. Rather than erasing Ukraine’s independence, the war has led to a more cohesive NATO, strengthened European defence initiatives, and a resilient Ukrainian society. Lord Ricketts expressed admiration for Ukraine’s civilians, whose endurance has been tested by relentless attacks over the past three-and-a-half years.