Nuland: Putin will put his army at risk if he doesn’t withdraw his troops from Ukraine

KYIV. May 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) – U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland has said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not stop the war and withdraw his troops from Ukraine, he will endanger his army and the country's economy.

"If President Putin doesn't end the war & withdraw his troops from Ukraine, he will put his army, finances & the country's economy at risk. Ukraine will ultimately win & in any case will be a part of European democracy," Nuland said during an online speech at the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Open Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation.

She noted that Ukraine is preparing for a counteroffensive today, and Putin should understand that the United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

She stressed that in Russia, more and more bodies will be returned in zinc coffins, and they realize the scale of the tragedy. According to her, the tragedy is happening not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia. She doubted if Putin understands that his leadership is being defeated inside the country.

In addition, answering the question of what Ukraine can expect from the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Nuland assured that the Alliance intends to express its support more clearly.

She beleives that in Vilnius Ukraine can expect a clearer expression of what they had already said, that they support Ukraine, which is becoming increasingly democratic and strong. She added that they support Ukraine in the long term – as each individual member country of the Alliance, and jointly.