NATO met Thursday to discuss Russia’s atrocious, increasingly horrific invasion of Ukraine. It wasn’t just NATO countries who were present, there were also observers: Sweden, Finland, Georgia, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union (EU). If Putin was concerned about being surrounded, he should have looked at his map. Just to remind him, Russia and Japan still have an unresolved boundary dispute. Russia also conducts military drills on the disputed islands. To confirm the stereotype that the Germans either are at your throat, or at your heel, the German Foreign Minister left before the deadline.
Weaponry was the main topic. Most of the weaponry supplied to Ukraine has been defensive in nature. It has not been able to tip the balance. A Russian withdrawal to the February 23rd line in most of Ukraine would be the best scenario. Donbas could experience a 1916-style stalemate, which would allow Russia to surrender large areas of territory and reward Putin for his land grab strategies.
The fact that Ukraine’s Foreign Minister declared his intentions was an important indicator of the theme.
“My agenda is very simple, it has only three items on it. Weapons, weapons & weapons.”
Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made a plea today at the NATO foreign ministers summit for allies to continue to provide weapons ahead of the Battle of Donbas. pic.twitter.com/jj2EAAkJkl
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 7, 2022
“I think the deal that Ukraine is offering is fair. You give us weapons; we sacrifice our lives, and the war is contained in Ukraine. This is it.” – Ukraine Foreign Minister @DmytroKulebahttps://t.co/tQAvSDw4Y6
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) April 8, 2022
NATO countries, particularly those from the Warsaw Pact began taking action even before the meeting ended. They were leaving behind the German-dominated NATO hierarchy.
Video of the dozens of T-72 tanks and BMPs that Czechia sent to Ukraine.
In doing so, Czechia became the first country to provide Ukraine with tanks.
Tanks and SAM systems will be crucial in the coming Battle for the Donbas as the terrain there is open. pic.twitter.com/fLYLEhNeyD
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 6, 2022
Ex-Soviet Heavy Armored spotted being moved out of Storage and onto Trains today in Czechia, this may be some of the Equipment that the Czech Government had received Approval from Germany to send to Ukraine specifically the BMP-1s, these T-72 MBTs are most likely being sent also. pic.twitter.com/cFD9LjTxVH
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 4, 2022
Australia had already committed to sending at least 20 Bushmasters to Ukraine from their version MRAP.
📷🇦🇺 Australia-made Bushmaster vehicles with Ukrainian markings were seen being transported to a local airfield. #Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/LUhXFhXp24
— MilitaryLand.net (@Militarylandnet) April 5, 2022
The conference saw the end of a logjam.
Today, Poland said that large numbers of its T72 tanks would be transferred to Ukraine. More importantly, Slovakia will also transfer its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine.
BREAKING NEWS:
Slovakia has now delivered its S-300 long-range SAM missile defense system to UA!
Slovak media confirmed the news 1h ago via @visegrad24 pic.twitter.com/IBLqdynwEX
— AlexandruC4 (@AlexandruC4) April 8, 2022
The S-300 transfer battery consists of four launchers. It makes up 100% of Slovakia’s air defense capability.
The government announced the unprecedented decision to announce the decision by a Slovakian prime minister personally.
I would like to confirm that #Slovakia has provided #Ukraine with an air-defence system S-300. #Ukrainian nation is #bravely defending its sovereign country and us too. It is our duty to help, not to stay put and be ignorant to the loss of human lives under #Russia’s agression.
— Eduard Heger (@eduardheger) April 8, 2022
Prime Minister Heger made a bold announcement. The Russians threatened to attack any attempt to move the S-300 from Slovakia to Ukraine because it was so disturbing.
Russia says will attack Slovakia’s S-300 missile supplies to Ukraine https://t.co/iQVM3NzjhL
— Georgi Gotev & EURACTIV.bg (@GeorgiGotev) March 18, 2022
The S-300 could be a game-changer because 1) the Russian Air Force is incredibly inept at attacking air-to-air missile sites and 2) the system has a range that allows targets to engage within a matter of seconds after takeoff from Russian or Belarusian bases.
It appeared that the meeting would signal an improvement in NATO’s approach since February.
Hopeful observers believe that a peaceful solution will be found. Vladimir Putin will repress and kill in masse for this.
NATO must remember that Putin cannot win the war. We have to show our willingness to defend NATO territory and provide resources. We must establish a long-term strategy for smart containment to stop Russia’s aggression.
She seems to be right. Putin’s fear of NATO isn’t based on Russia’s threat. It is driven primarily because NATO restricts Putin’s imperial ambitions. Do not think that peace in Ukraine can ever be achieved. This is not because Russia or Putin don’t consider Ukraine legitimate. They will try again to dismember it. (read Kremlin Newspaper: Putin Confidant Endorses Genocide to be Russia’s Final Solution for Ukraine Issue span>
Russia must understand that Ukraine is equipped with equal weapons and that its people are ready to fight for their homeland.
