Ukraine, late surrender page|12

Next February 22 marks two years since the beginning of the special military operation of the Russian Federation, a war conflict that has brought about profound changes in international political relations. The war that is constantly developing in Eastern Europe has the originality of having a triple character: on the one hand, it is the result of a civil war promoted by the Kiev government against the Russian-speakers of Donbass; Secondly, it is an interstate confrontation between Russia and Ukraine; And ultimately it’s a war clash Representative With the clear aim of undermining Russia’s sovereignty and weakening the multilateral alliance expressed in BRICS, 31 NATO member states have opened a front against Moscow. In this sense, it is a major blow against Xi Jinping, who has seen an increase in hostility around Taiwan during the past two years.

In operational terms, the war has become a daily battle of attrition with Moscow’s undoubted military advantages compounded by the lack of Ukrainian troops and a latent belief in Ukrainian society that Moscow’s defeat is impossible. In November last year, Valery Zaluzny, who until last Thursday served as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, gave an interview economist In which he admitted that his counter-offensive had failed, that the situation at the front was stable and that he had seen severe restrictions on recruitment, a difficulty that was due to Zelensky’s mismanagement. Three months after these statements, the Ukrainian President decided to remove Zaluzny, and replace him with Army Chief of Staff General Oleksandr Sirsky.

Zaluzny’s discouraging statements also included those of Mykhailo Podolyak, head of advisers to the Ukrainian presidential office, who called for help from the West. That “Russian troops were using about 10 thousand artillery shells per day on the front line, while Ukrainian troops were limited to using about 2 thousand in response.” Pentagon military analysts are also pessimistic about Kiev’s abilities to repel sustained missile attacks. According to a report by the British intelligence service, Russia produces about 100 tanks per month, which is five times more than the number Ukraine received during the same period.

According to Denmark’s Defense Minister, General Flemming Lanter, Russia has proven “stronger than expected” and has taken advantage of the conflict to establish a “war economy”, a situation that will allow it to revive its combat power and improve its military capabilities. Allows the stock to be replenished. Much faster than we thought.” The defeat of Kiev would be used – Lentfer stressed – “to use its military force to challenge NATO.” If that happens, Moscow said that “It will control 35 percent of all markets.” Last week, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, announced before a visit to Washington that his country would not be able to supply the weapons Zelensky needs, which is why “we have to.” Every effort must be made to prevent Russia from emerging victorious.”

While the head of the German government moved to Washington to hold bilateral talks with Joe Biden aimed at capitalizing on aid to Kiev, data on the growth of the Russian economy was released. During 2023, gross product increased by 3.6 percent due to increase in consumption, exports and military industry. Internal contradictions within the European Union (EU) and failed negotiations within the Capitol were highlighted in Trumpist Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin last Thursday. The talks between the Russian leader and the former head of Fox News came the same week that a deal to provide $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine, $14 billion to Israel and another $10 billion in aid failed. Humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank.

Since the conflict began in February 2022, the EU has contributed almost $100 billion to Kyiv, which has had a direct impact on the Community economy. In the latest contribution, the EU – which had Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as its staunchest opponent – ​​has assured the disbursement of another 50 billion, even as protests grow in the agricultural sector and Germany’s industrial Production is falling. A survey released last week by European Council on Foreign RelationsRegarding the parliamentary elections in June, there have been warnings of a possible defeat of neoliberal globalism, represented by the parliamentary group most obsessed with postponing the Ukrainian surrender.

The war deadlock from which Moscow benefits, the moral degradation of Ukrainian troops, internal contradictions in the NATO group and the possible victory of Trump and Orban in the 2024 elections – presidential in the US and parliamentary in the EU – explain the carelessness and restraint with which Putin welcomed Carlson.