As Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s criminal war approaches its most decisive stage, here are five important tests that Ukraine and its global partners and allies must undertake.
Some are short-term and some affect generations. Connecting them is that all five are needed to turn Putin’s murderous authoritarian threat into a historic opportunity for the civilized world to shape a better future.
- Can Ukrainian friends, especially European and North American friends, not only maintain their unity and solidarity, but also strengthen them in the face of Putin’s growing brutality?Globally Energy price When Rising inflationCan Ukrainian friends avoid the inevitable fatigue among democracy and continue to focus on what looks like a distant threat?
- Will Ukrainian weapons suppliers continue to provide Kyiv with even greater military power? Despite the threat of Moscow’s escalation, including the possibility of using nuclear weapons on the battlefield.. With this enhanced weapon Ukrainian troops can not only retain but also recapture Their sovereign territory occupied by the Russian army.
- NATO is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan oppose — And potentially that of others — to the imminent application for Finnish and Swedish alliance membership? Can Finland and Sweden provide protection status and accelerate the process until they become full members? Can the US Senate ratify Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO before summer vacation and generate decisive momentum?
- Can Ukraine and its friends do more to establish a virtually correct story worldwide that Putin is solely responsible for this planned and unprovoked war? Can they reach the Russian people more effectively to better understand that Putin started the war in their name, not in their interests?
- Finally, the United States and its global allies and partners will strategically defeat Putin and undermine Russia’s military power enough to allow Moscow to continue or repeat the Ukrainian war elsewhere. Can you prevent it from happening? Can NATO and its global partners be strengthened enough to more effectively thwart this type of threat in the future?
It’s a long list and it’s just the beginning.
The bottom line is that the unexpected resilience, witty patriotism, and courage provided the free world with the opportunity to not only save Ukraine, but to reverse it. Years of democratic drift and authoritarian resurrection.
Now is the time to act to avoid replacing the rule of law with the rule of jungle.
It will be important for the transatlantic community to accept Russia and Russians as part of President George HW Bush’s dream in the coming years.Free with the whole of Europe“You should have already designed a way to do that, but in the meantime, Ukrainian friends have to quell Putin’s avenger, a historically altered obsession, for now.Ancient Ruth“By the necessary means.
Last week we emphasized positive momentum towards this goal.
Finland and Sweden Move to NATO membershipEngland Strengthening sanctions It broke Putin’s secret wall around his family and rumored girlfriend.Russian army Withdrawal from Kharkov, Ukraine’s second largest cityAnd the Ukrainian army has begun Start a counterattack Targeting the Russian supply line to the Donbus region, towards the eastern city of Izyum.
Finland and Sweden last week Approaching the NATO membership applicationThis should be official in the next few days.
“Finland must apply for NATO without delay,” said Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin. statement On Thursday, Finland, which has an 810-mile border with Russia, almost certainly did so the next day following other steps. “NATO accession will strengthen Finland’s security. As a NATO member, Finland will strengthen the entire defense alliance.”
On Friday, all Swedish political parties presented a revised assessment of the deteriorating security situation in their area. Six of the eight parties upheld the conclusion in favor of NATO accession after 200 years of neutrality.Swedish government Expected to make a formal decision to apply for NATO membership on Monday..
The false voice that NATO members claim to destabilize rather than secure a more peaceful Europe was heard by NATO’s three Baltic nations while Russia conquered non-NATO member Ukraine. Talk to officials in these countries who have seen you stay safe.
Turkish President Erdogan is the leader of NATO and The biggest opposition So far, the expansion of Sweden and Finland is a long-standing protection of Swedish Kurdish terrorists, based on what Turkey says. However, Erdogan’s words suggest that this is a negotiating ploy rather than an immovable object.
“We are following the progress on Sweden and Finland, but not a positive idea.” Erdogan said.. “At this point, we can’t look forward to it.”
Putin’s war not only failed to rob Ukraine, but also caused global change far beyond Finland and Sweden.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, winner of the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Award Said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused a “geopolitical paradigm shift.”
Draghi added, “We have strengthened relations between the European Union and the United States, isolated Moscow and cast deep doubts on China. These changes are still going on, but there is one thing for sure. Long time.
“When they fight for their freedom and the security of all of us, we must continue to support the bravery of the Ukrainians, he said. There should be peace, he said. Insisted, but added. This peace and everyone else. “
The threat of historical nature has been apparent since Putin began recruiting his troops for the February 24 attack last year. Now, Draghi said, the opportunity is clearer.
“The war in Ukraine has the potential to bring the European Union even closer,” he said. “We need to remember the urgency of the moment, the magnitude of the challenge. This is European time and we need to grab it. The choices the European Union faces are cruel and simple. We Can be the master of their destiny or the slave of their decisions. “
Draghi is optimistic about him that Europe isn’t just working on this, it’s being strengthened by the “timeless bonds” of Western relations.
The test now is whether the current unity and momentum of Ukrainian friends can withstand Putin’s growing atrocities and prejudice against their fatigue.
— — Frederick Kempe President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Council.
