Western officials now say that Ukraine’s fate hangs in the balance, despite the $61bn aid package finally agreed upon by the US House of Representatives, which has now passed into law.
The situation at the front is extremely grave.
When Ukrainian Patriot missile air defenses repeatedly shoot down the Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, a missile the Kremlin describes with Wunderwaffe– (wonder-weapon) like terminology, it is not just saving its military and civilians from the damage the enemy seeks to cause.
Journalists, like the West as a whole, are failing to understand what is happening in Eastern Europe, and who’s responsible.
Russia’s stepped-up aerial war of aggression continues to kill Ukrainians with no link to the military; basketball coaches, primary school teachers, mothers and fathers, and children in their beds.
The US, UK and Canada are reportedly set to present proposals to G7 leaders in February to finally utilize $300bn-plus in Russian assets frozen in the West.
In one sense, it is strange this discussion even needs to be held. It’s clear that Russia’s war of aggression was unprovoked and that its behavior routinely contravenes the laws of war.
The best defense is supposed to be a good offense. But in Russia’s war against Ukraine, the best defense seems to be defense itself.
Visions of decisive breakthroughs have faded as both Russia and Ukraine have seen their offensives stymied. The war has degenerated into a stalemate punctuated by bloody attacks that result in modest gains at best.
NATO should immediately begin consultations in the NATO-Ukraine Council about Ukraine joining the alliance as soon as possible, including a detailed Article 5 plan.
NATO’s policy on Ukraine is inadvertently encouraging Putin to continue the war. It is time for a change.