Ljubljana - While noting that Europe is in for a major test over the winter, Delo says in Wednesday's front-page commentary that the strategy of Russian President Vladimir Putin with which he tries to spread panic over gas supply and instigate discontent of Europeans is failing.

The EU responded to Russian military aggression with sanctions as the only true weapon at its disposal, and although they are unprecedented in scale and undermine the economic structure of Russia, they have not changed the behaviour of Putin, "who clearly sees the destruction of Ukraine as an independent country as his historic mission".

Nevertheless, the sanctions, although not in the short run, will affect the course of the war, as they weaken Russia both economy-wise and militarily, the newspaper adds under the headline Major Winter Test for Europe.

While the coming autumn and winter months will be difficult, the EU managed to maintain unity during the six months of the war in making the most important decisions regarding Russia, and public support for Ukraine remains strong.

"The exception is actually only the left-wing and right-wing periphery. Putin's scenario under which the West would give up on Ukraine when the cost of war and sanctions becomes apparent did not work."

Gas supply will be a major test in the coming months, but the worst-case scenario under which there would not be enough gas for industry and heating of homes is becoming less likely, Delo adds.

While high energy prices, general inflation and economic issues will have domestic political consequences, Putin's strategy with which he tries to spread panic over gas supply and instigate discontent of Europeans is failing.

"There is no other path than to continue supporting Ukraine, which was attacked because it decided for values on which the EU is based," the paper notes, adding that a successful defence of Ukraine's territorial integrity is a path towards a diplomatic solution.