NATO Admiral says war outcome could have been ‘very different’ if Ukraine had received requested weapons in 2022

The outcome of Russia’s war in Ukraine could have been “very, very different” if Kyiv had received all the military assistance it requested in 2022, NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Rob Bauer said, while noting that a classical military victory for either side now appears unlikely.

Speaking to Radio NV, Bauer said that neither Ukraine nor Russia is currently in a position to secure a traditional military victory on the battlefield.

“At this stage, a classical military victory for either side is unlikely. That is because there are currently 700,000 Russian troops stationed in occupied Ukrainian territory,” Bauer said.

He noted that forcing Russian troops out under current conditions would be difficult, adding that the international community should learn lessons from the delay in military assistance.

“If we had delivered everything in 2022, when Ukraine was very successfully reclaiming territory from Russian forces — let’s say between April and August of that year — if we had given you everything you asked for, the outcome of the war would probably have been very, very different,” the Admiral said.

Despite the current battlefield realities, Bauer argued that Russia has already suffered a strategic defeat.

“I am convinced that Russia has already lost this war strategically, turning itself into a satellite of China,” he said, adding that Moscow would not be able to continue the war without Beijing’s support.

“From a military perspective, I cannot imagine any scenario in which Russia emerges from this war as the winner,” Bauer added.