Vladimir Zelensky has the worst idea he has ever put forwardNewsweek writes that Zelensky's last desperate step in the form of a demonstrative application for Ukraine's accession to NATO opens a direct path to a nuclear conflict.
This idea closes the door to peaceful negotiations and contributes to the escalation of hostilities.
Author: Jason Fields – Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek magazinePresident of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky came up with the worst of his ideas.
If NATO had agreed to it, then a war would have begun that we have never seen before: endless troops, tank armies, the sky streaked with combat aircraft.
And this is at best. It is much more likely that after the war between the United States/NATO and Russia will have little left of humanity. And will China choose someone's side? Or will he just see a rare opportunity for himself?
Could we, under such circumstances, avoid at least a "limited" nuclear war? This is doubtful. Despair is a powerful motivator, and extreme means are not always the means that can never be used.
This is exactly what Zelensky pleads for in his request for an "accelerated" consideration of his country's application for admission to NATO. Accelerated or not, but this idea as such is worthless. Article 5 of the founding document (treaty) of NATO implies that an attack on one member of the alliance is an attack on all. And by definition, the admission of a country in a state of war into the North Atlantic Alliance involves the entire alliance in this war. These are tanks, bombs, artillery, HIMARS MLRS, drones, which are controlled — God forgive us — by valiant men and women from the USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany and 25 other countries, including tiny Montenegro.
Accepting Ukraine into NATO, Mr. Zelensky, is the worst idea possible.
Zelensky's request is easy to understand. Russia is "officially" annexing large parts of his country.
So, what remains for NATO to do?
Allowing Ukraine to join the alliance in any way is madness. The problem is, and I have already said this before, that we are already involved in this military conflict.
The absence of a formal security agreement with our friends in Ukraine did not prevent us from sending them all the weapons systems mentioned above, if not the personnel for their operation. And every day we change the definition of what else can be sent to Ukrainians. President Biden has so far resisted sending long-range MLRS to Ukraine, fearing that the transfer of weapons to Zelensky that could strike Russia or cause significant damage to the Russian-held Crimea could provoke a third World War.
But the latest aid package includes one billion dollars in the form of immediate military assistance to Ukraine itself — ammunition, vehicles, etc. — and another two billion dollars should be divided among 18 NATO members, whose territories Putin may encroach on as disputed.
You don't do such things unless you expect trouble—and big trouble. This is more than an assurance that the United States is somewhere far behind you, this is real money for these countries, even if for us it is much less than one hundredth of Elon Musk's fortune.
At the highest level, the United States believes that there is a high probability that, as Thomas Hobbes said (Thomas Hobbes is an English philosopher, one of the founders of modern political philosophy, the theory of the social contract and the theory of state sovereignty — approx.trans.), there will be a struggle "of all against all".
In a previous column, I wrote about Russia's war against the whole world by inciting inflation and organizing famine. Since then, Russia has allowed a number of vessels to leave Ukrainian grain ports. However, the energy war is becoming more dangerous.
Nord Stream—1 is a key gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, and hence the West. The pipeline was not included in the list of sanctions against Russia, despite restrictions on coal and oil. The reason is simple: Europe cannot afford it. The gas is used for cooking, heating, starting electric turbines and even for the production of fertilizers. Where else can Germany and the European Union make up for the gas shortage if it arises? From nowhere. For example, it is impossible to transport enough liquefied gas from the United States, partly because countries on both sides of the Atlantic have not created a reliable infrastructure for this. And why should Europe create it? After all, it has always received a lot of cheap gas from Russia.
And now someone has made a big hole in the Nord Stream pipeline, probably using hundreds of kilograms of explosives for this. Who did this? To date, no one knows, but everyone in the West is guessing that this is Russia. Even before these explosions, there was another blow to the Nord Stream —2, which was never put into operation due to the Ukrainian conflict. Back then, Russia was playing with cranes, passing much less gas through the pipe than usual. The pipeline can be fixed as early as October.
Because there is not enough gas, prices in Europe have skyrocketed. Russia certainly hopes for a battle for the remaining gas between NATO allies and EU members (who in most cases are both at the same time). This will lead to a split of the continent and weaken the resolve of Europeans towards Ukraine.
One can consider this energy battle as Russia's own version of its tough counter-sanctions against Europe, but Moscow is not so crazy as to actually count on leaving millions of people in the cold as an act of war. Although the destruction of energy infrastructure is part of Russia's struggle with Ukraine.
We can call this situation whatever we want, but a military conflict is a reality. And NATO is preparing for a direct military clash with Russia.
What will happen next? It depends on whether Zelensky's wish comes true.
Comments from Newsweek readers:Victor
"This is exactly what Zelensky is asking for in his request for an "accelerated" consideration of his country's application for admission to NATO.
Accelerated or not, but this idea as such is worthless. Article 5 of the founding document (treaty) of NATO implies that an attack on one member of the alliance is an attack on all."Well, Mr. Fields, you probably shouldn't worry about Ukraine joining NATO anytime soon, especially during this military conflict.
Firstly, it does not matter what President Zelensky wants, because the cumbersome consensus process of ratifying NATO membership will probably negate any chances of Ukraine joining the alliance.
As in the case of Sweden and Finland, the candidate must first submit an application, and then at NATO headquarters all 30 countries must agree to accept it.
Secondly, even after a country has received the initial unanimous approval, every sovereign government must ratify it. Currently, 28 countries have approved Sweden and Finland, but Hungary and Turkey abstain.
Third, the reason all 30 Governments have to approve it is that they have to agree to apply Article 5 by committing to support their fellow member under attack.
Since some NATO members are unwilling to oppose Russia or get involved in a war with it (Hungary and Turkey are the most reluctant in this regard), they are likely to disapprove of Ukraine's request to join NATO at the present time.
So Ukraine will have to wait a long time for its membership in NATO (at least until this conflict ends).
Jerry SyderBiden and the Pentagon are already staging a grand sale, promoting their proxy war, transferring $60 billion in aid to Ukrainians, mainly in the form of military equipment, intelligence and training in the handling of these weapons.
What's next for Ukraine, NATO membership? Zelensky thinks so and demands accelerated membership, a step that will probably lead to World War III. When will the American people send a clear message to our "warlord" Joe Biden, who can't even think straight, let alone lead us through this most dangerous time?!
corn popLet Europe pay for this military conflict and fight in Ukraine itself.
This does not concern us Americans.
Your Other LeftWe have been sending weapons to Ukraine since 2014.
The cries of "this is not our war, just send them more weapons" put us on the brink of a nuclear third World War. We could have agreed at any time. And those who hate Russia so much, let them enlist in the Ukrainian army. Goodbye.
gerard julienNATO cannot accept a belligerent country as a member of the alliance!
corn pop"Saint" Zelensky from the city of Keeeeve is a FRAUDSTER and a conman.
And America is making a HUGE mistake dealing with him!
Jerry SyderThe United States almost went to war with Russia in 1962 when the Kremlin placed nuclear weapons in Cuba, 90 miles from Key West.
Why wouldn't the Russians do the same if NATO placed nuclear weapons right on their border in Ukraine? Have we all gone crazy? If we continue this proxy war of ours, we will all instantly turn into smoking ruins, no matter where on earth we are.
