Slava Ukraini!
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| Women soldiers in Ukraine. Often treated as second class despite the fact they are essential to win the war. Incomprehensible. [Image: Balkan Insight] |
On Februari 24, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine, believing it would be a short war. Last December Reuters reported that "a declassified U.S. intelligence report assessed that the Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 dead and injured troops, or nearly 90% of the personnel it had when the conflict began". It started the war with an estimated 360.000 troops.
Ukraine considers it's casualty numbers a state secret. A "New York Times report in August cited U.S. officials as putting the Ukrainian death toll at close to 70,000". A Ukranian civic group estimates some 30.000 Ukrainians have died. Meanwhile both sides are running low on ammunition and weapons. Nato issued a statement it continues to support future Nato membership for Ukraine. In the meantime a number of countries have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, including Canada and Italy.
Meanwhile Europe and the US a starting to have different views on how to proceed. The American public seems to suffer from war fatigue and wants a peace deal, even if that means rewarding Putin with part of Ukraine. Very unwise and I found it hard to believe when I read it. Europe on the other hand is finally grasping only Europe itself is responsible for its own security. A couple of weeks ago a German politician argued in favour of a European nuclear bomb. Note also that Britain is to a large extent dependent on the US for its nuclear deterrence.
Yesterday Western leaders promised continued support for Ukraine. Of course they did. What does it all mean? More and harsher sanctions for Russia. No doubt that will hurt but not in the short term. There is some good news. Some Chinese business, fearing America's wrath, have stopped supplying Russia. Won't make a dent but it's a start. Same with Russian clients being turned down by UAE banks. Just a few of them, which is better than nothing.
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| Being captured is a lot worse for female soldiers than it is for men. [Image: Balkan Insight] |
Most sensible thing I read was in The New York Times. "In 2014, Ukrainians took to Kyiv’s main square to protest the decision by President Viktor F. Yanukovych to forgo closer ties to Europe and instead more closely align Ukraine with Moscow." Most Ukranians consider the Maidan uprising of 2014 the beginning of a 10-year war to defend their country against Russia. Compare then and now. For eight years a low intensity conflict brewed. Russia occupied Crimea. Surprisingly that continued tension has prepared Ukraine well for the Russian invasion. These days Ukranian president Zelensky is a global hero, even if he's an accidental one. Nobody doubt that sooner rather than later Ukraine will become a member of the European Union and it's only a matter of time before Ukraine joins Nato too. And with a large number of refugees spread all across the continent, over time Europe will become more and more pro-Ukraine. Just my very own country, the Netherlands, has some accepted some 100.000 refugees. And we're a tiny country of 18 million. They'll mingle and marry and their kids will become both Ukranian and Dutch nationals. Time is Mr. Putin's worst enemy. Sadly the same thing goes for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!
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