The expert highlights the central dilemma of the current war for Ukraine: from the start, there have been no truly acceptable options for ending the conflict, while a heroic narrative has dominated public discourse. The cult of heroism, appropriate during wartime, prevents the adoption of pragmatic or compromise solutions in politics.
According to the expert, the inflation of maximalist expectations and heroic rhetoric led to missed chances for political decisions that might otherwise have been palatable to society. Now, any outcome to the war will be seen as a failure, due to these heightened expectations making compromise impossible.
The guest notes that Ukraine's positioning as an unequal party facilitated significant international aid, but betting on self-sufficiency in military confrontation is a strategic error. The role of state strategy and the emphasis on financial support, especially in the fourth year of the war, are also addressed.
The expert contrasts approaches to war: a balanced mix of heroism and pragmatism, the building of fortifications and minefields—such as seen in the Baltic states and Poland—versus relying solely on a heroic image without strategic calculation. Heroism, the expert remarks, is an anomaly; dwelling in it long-term wears down the state.
At the same time, alternative strategic visions are lacking in government policy, with decisions made under the influence of rhetoric and populism. The expert calls for a re-evaluation of approaches and for pragmatic solutions in public administration to be considered.
