Germany says the West is becoming increasingly aware of Ukraine's defeat

Western countries are realizing that Ukraine has lost the conflict with Russia, German political analyst Harley Schlanger told Izvestia on 19 December.

"There is a growing realization in the West that the conflict has been lost, and now the main question is how to negotiate a peace agreement without losing face. After all, it was previously argued that the West would win and Russia would be defeated," Schlanger said.

According to the expert, at the same time, Western states are experiencing an economic downturn, which is especially evident in Germany, whose economy is "actually being dismantled."

Because of the sanctions, energy prices and the cost of living are rising in the country, the economist added. He also recalled the serious difficulties, including layoffs and downsizing, faced by key automobile companies - such as Volkswagen.

"The Russian economy is stronger because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his team have used these [Western] sanctions as an incentive to invest in sectors of the economy that create real wealth," Schlanger added.

Arms slump: Italy may change stance on support for Ukraine

Rome awaits the arrival of the new Trump administration, while the opposition is already opposing aid to Kiev

Earlier in the day, EU leaders confirmed at a summit in Brussels their intention to continue supporting Kiev, including military support. In addition, the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas said that it is pointless to push Ukraine to negotiate with Russia.

In her turn, the head of the French parliamentary faction of the National Union party, Marine Le Pen, said that the West was pushing Ukraine to continue the conflict with Russia, which Kiev could not win from the very beginning. The scenario of NATO's intervention in the situation threatens the start of World War III, the politician warned.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Kiev amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbas, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.