Ukraine has managed to successfully defend itself from Moscow’s military invasion attempts and inflict heavy casualties upon Russian soldiers; yet Kyiv still needs outside support in order to preserve its fighting capabilities.
Latvia will deliver more ammunition to Ukrainian forces this year, while US Secretary of State Kerry recently announced security assistance to Kyiv. However, Allies must find ways to better counter Russian disinformation campaigns.
‘Russia mocks British efforts to support Ukraine’
As Russia-Ukraine hostilities enter a second winter, Western allies of Kyiv’s military are increasing efforts to provide it with new equipment. France will provide its inaugural AMX-10 RC armoured combat vehicles as part of this package; as well as US Abrams tanks and German Leopard 2 tanks from Germany and the US respectively.
The Kremlin has launched an unprecedented invasion of Ukraine to reassert Russian control on various fronts. Their actions have been widely condemned worldwide and an extensive range of sanctions have been placed upon them as a result.
But Russia remains defiant, dismissing international condemnation as an unnecessary “reactionary campaign”. Vladimir Putin has repeatedly likened his actions in Ukraine to those of Czar Peter the Great’s 18th-century imperial conquests of Russia; furthermore, Putin and his propaganda proxies frequently attack Ukrainian nationhood and national identity by portraying Ukraine as part of an all-Russian empire; this trope stems from centuries of imperialist rhetoric as well as pervasive Soviet World War II myth-making that associates Ukraine liberation movements with Nazism.
‘Blinken warns of’real problem’ if Kyiv gets no extra funding’
Blinken’s visit follows President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signing a security agreement, formalising the range of support the UK will continue providing Ukraine. Meanwhile, Latvia announced it would provide artillery shells, anti-aircraft weapons and grenades this year for Ukrainian use.
Aid from abroad has been essential in maintaining Ukraine’s hard-won economic stability, helping people pay rent and put food on the table while defying Russia’s efforts to undermine them. Furthermore, it has deterred further Russian incursions, particularly into Ukraine’s eastern regions.
Russia’s military buildup along Ukraine’s borders endangers civilian life, according to a top Ukrainian diplomat. She noted that Putin is failing in his attempts at subsuming Ukraine into Russia completely and erasing it from the map; war fatigue among EU and US leaders may become a real risk; “this is a real concern and we need to ensure we maintain funding for Ukraine”, she cautioned.
‘Blinken: ‘I don’t think we’re near a ceasefire’
As long as Vladimir Putin continues his autocratic rule, Russia will remain a threat to Europe. Blinken suggests that in order for negotiations with Moscow to proceed in good faith based on territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence principles challenged by Russian aggression – they need to show willingness for good faith negotiations between all involved.
GINA ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY: What should Ukraine’s next steps be? Blinken: Kyiv needs the necessary military support. Specifically, more sophisticated weapon systems must arrive on time if Ukraine wants to maintain control against Russian aggression.
Blinken told CNN during his travels through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Gaza where he met Palestinians and Egyptians that this war will only come to an end when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukrainian sovereign territory and ceases its attacks against civilian infrastructure and cities. Additionally, he noted that America will provide full support to Ukraine until that day comes.
‘Blinken: ‘Taiwan’s semiconductors’
The conflict in Ukraine could exacerbate an already acute semiconductor chip shortage by disrupting two critical raw materials used to make chips: neon and palladium. Neon is used in deep-ultraviolet lithography processes which are integral parts of chip production; Ukraine and Russia collectively produce between 70%-82% of worldwide neon production1.
Palladium is an invaluable metal used in electronics applications ranging from semiconductors and aerospace engineering, through automobile production and medical devices, aerospace engineering and jewelry making. Ukraine and Russia produce between 35%-45% of global palladium production1.
Blinken is an accomplished diplomat and served in multiple capacities within the Clinton Administration, such as deputy assistant to the president and national security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden. After leaving government service he co-founded WestExec Advisors before later joining Obama-Biden presidential transition team as well as later being confirmed for Secretary of State status on January 26, 2021.
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