The fear that the US President would leave the summit in The Hague did not materialize, and the declared increase in European NATO defense spending could affect the balance between the US and Europe. But Russia's war in Ukraine is not abating, and is even intensifying; the armies of both sides, according to various estimates, are on the verge of exhaustion; Russia supposedly can maintain the offensive for a year.
Financial Times writes about the contrast between intentions and statements in the Netherlands and the current military reality, reports UNN.
Details
Two sides of affairs on the old continent. Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine and the consequences of three years of resistance to the invasion, which is not stopping yet. On the other side - "Daddy's Home" by Donald Trump, - a triumphant title which the Republican president was given by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the summit in The Hague. And also, allegedly, general satisfaction after the meeting of European leaders and the US last week.
While the attack on the front lines in Ukraine is intertwined with defense, European leaders are listing the achievements of the summit in the Netherlands.
Among them:
- NATO has supposedly reoriented itself towards its key mission – deterring Russia;
- the alliance is returning to Cold War-era defense spending levels in response to Russia's continued military buildup;
- with increased European defense spending, NATO will become a more balanced alliance between the US and Europe.
At the same time, on the fronts of the Russian-Ukrainian war, according to one report, Russia has lost over a million servicemen killed or wounded. At the same time, Ukrainian losses are also heavy. And this is palpable in the context of Russia's population being approximately several times larger.
The enemy is trying to put pressure on the civilian population of Ukraine.
The increasing intensity of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities also harms the morale of Ukrainians. Without a clear vision of victory — or at least an end to the war — a sense of hopelessness risks engulfing the country.
The change in mood within the Ukrainian government is reflected in calls for a ceasefire.
A year or two ago, such calls would have been considered a defeat.
Regarding the mood within the country, the publication refers to a group of former European leaders who recently visited Ukraine.
A group of politicians, former leaders of European countries, including Carl Bildt (Swedish politician, diplomat, Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991 to 1994) and Sanna Marin (Prime Minister of Finland from December 10, 2019 to June 20, 2023).
They wrote the following:
While Ukrainians will never stop resisting, without greater military support, Ukraine may lose more territory. More cities may be captured
Unofficially, some Western officials speak in even gloomier terms, warning of the risk of a "catastrophic failure." If there is no significant increase in military and financial assistance from Western allies.
On the other hand, optimists argue that the Ukrainians' experience in drone warfare has made it impossible for large groups of Russian troops to advance en masse. And even if, assuming, the Russian Armed Forces somehow manage to break through Ukrainian lines, the invaders will not be able to capitalize on this achievement. Due to a lack of mechanized divisions, in particular.
In his material in FT, the author reminds that in the current Russian-Ukrainian war, it has been proven many times that received wisdom is false.
However, if the growing pessimism among those closely following the war in Ukraine is justified, then the good mood after the NATO summit will soon dissipate. In that case, even Rutte may have difficulty keeping smiling until the end of the year, summarizes the author of the Financial Times text .
Let me remind you
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the Alliance faces challenges due to Russia's aggressive rearmament, supported by Chinese technology.
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