Editorial dated 23rd November 24
Russia's threat to NATO countries
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Today, most of the countries of the world are divided into two groups. One group is from Russia and the other is pro-NATO. Before leaving power, President Biden has given permission to NATO countries to attack Russia with deadly weapons. As a result, the whole world is rapidly moving towards a great war. As the first step, Ukraine attacked American missiles, and Russia has directly threatened NATO countries that if such a move is made, Russia will not even think for a moment of nuclear attack on Ukraine and NATO countries. After this statement, tension has increased within the world, and the whole world is standing on the brink of a great war.
American officials say that President Biden has given permission to Ukraine to launch long-range ATACMS missiles into Russian territory.
Britain and France are also expected to follow the US in saying that Storm Shadow missiles could also be used on targets in Russia.
Western countries have now donated weapons and equipment worth more than $100 billion to Ukraine.
When asked who has provided the most military aid, it should be said that
The US is Ukraine’s largest arms supplier.
The US has provided $61.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine between February 2022 and August 2024, and the Netherlands $5.5 billion.
However, the Kiel Institute has warned that aid to Ukraine could “significantly decrease” in 2025, suggesting that President Trump may reduce America’s contribution after he takes office in January.
Germany is also likely to cut its military aid to Ukraine by about half in 2025. Where have Western countries given Ukraine weapons?
This includes the US HIMMERS system and Britain’s M270 missile system.
The Kiel Institute says the US has also sent more than 500 field guns, including the M777 howitzer.
However, according to the UK-based think tank Royal United Services Institute, Russia has the upper hand on the battlefield because it has a larger supply of artillery shells than Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said in late July 2024 that “his air force has received the first batch of F-16 fighter jets from Western countries and we need more of these fighter jets.”
NATO members including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have pledged to give Ukraine more than 65 of the US-made planes, which they plan to retire from their air forces. The US gave permission to send F-16s to Ukraine in August 2023. Since then, Western countries have been training Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16 fighter jet.
“Ukraine will use the F-16s largely for defence against air attacks,” says Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews.
According to the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, it could ultimately be used to attack Russian air defense systems, command centers and supply depots, as well as to intercept Russian aircraft in Ukrainian airspace. Western countries have sent several types of air defense systems to Ukraine to counter Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
