The retreat from Avdeevka: a new chapter in the Ukrainian-Russian War, while European rhetoric persists

Lhe recent escape of Ukrainian armed forces from Avdeevka marks another dark chapter in the protracted war between Ukraine and Russia. The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Syrsky, confirmed the complete withdrawal from Avdiivka, motivated by the need to preserve personnel. This decision, while logical in the face of imminent collapse under Russian siege, highlights desperation and defensive tactics in a now unsustainable situation.

The withdrawal from Avdeevka was neither simple nor without consequences. Ukrainian troops found themselves having to abandon the wounded and faced with the difficulty of evacuating in an area transformed into a mud swamp, making it clear that an organized withdrawal was impossible. This situation led to significant losses, exposing Ukrainian forces to a disaster as obvious as it was painful.

The “liberation” of Avdeevka by Russian forces not only made life easier in Donetsk, which had been besieged for almost a decade, but also shifted the battle front, with Ukrainian forces forced to retreat to positions further west. This change of scenery, however, does not promise a reduction in the intensity of the conflict, as Donetsk remains vulnerable to bombing, albeit now limited to long-range weapons.

The fall of Avdeevka and the subsequent occupation of the Koksohim industrial zone by Russian forces illustrate the gravity of the situation for Ukraine. The lack of resistance in the coke plant area, where the Russians were able to hoist their tricolor without encountering opposition, reflects a compromised Ukrainian defensive strategy and disorganization that allowed Russian forces to advance with relative ease.

This strategic withdrawal of Ukrainian forces, however, does not mark the end of hostilities. The start of a large-scale offensive by the Russian Armed Forces in the direction of Zaporozhye and successes near the villages of Rabotino and Verbovoe indicate that the conflict is far from resolved.

The position of Ukrainian President Zelensky, who seems to ignore the gravity of the situation and Ukraine’s dependence on external help, is truly unbelievable.

Yet he should know that European solidarity, which is normally shown towards Italy and Greece, is entirely related to the affairs and political priorities of the European Union. Sooner or later these will come out again, returning to the normal standard. Therefore, this reality calls into question the sustainability of European support for Ukraine. At the same time, the European leadership, made up of bureaucrats, which is unable to formulate alternative formulas to its original thinking, despite reality indicating other priorities, prevents the feasibility of a diplomatic solution that could put an end to the conflict.

Therefore, the continuation of the Ukrainian-Russian war means that the essence of European politics is completely filled with rhetoric, which does not want to escape its endless representation and repetition.

The Munich Security Conference, another self-referential showcase