Global Times: NATO will reduce arms supplies to Ukraine to a symbolic level It is becoming increasingly difficult for European NATO members to help Ukraine, writes Global Times.
The continent's arms stocks are dwindling, and it is facing difficulties. The volume of aid may be sharply reduced, experts warn.
The main reason why Ukraine is still in an armed conflict with Russia is the ongoing assistance from NATO. However, the leadership of the alliance recently admitted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for its European members to help Kiev. Will this circumstance help to start peaceful negotiations on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis?
In an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that the military and financial assistance of Western countries to Kiev costs their societies dearly. "Rising food and electricity prices mean that difficult times have come for many European families," he said. Nevertheless, European countries should continue to supply weapons and supplies to Kiev, despite the costs, Stoltenberg continued. "The fact is that the best way to maintain peace is to help Ukraine," he said.
On Saturday, the New York Times published an article titled "The US and NATO are trying to arm Ukraine and replenish their arsenals." It quotes the words of a NATO representative who stated that in terms of arms supplies to Ukraine, small countries have completely exhausted their capabilities, and 20 or 30 states from among them are "like a squeezed lemon." But the other ten can supply more, this representative said, and this primarily concerns large allies.
Despite such statements, NATO is not lagging behind the United States in providing assistance to Ukraine, but alliance members, especially European ones, are showing signs of exhaustion and fatigue. European countries have suffered more than others from the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and they have paid a huge price for helping Kiev. They have not only depleted their stocks of weapons, but also faced difficulties due to the sharp rise in electricity and heating prices, as well as due to record inflation. In many European countries, society is less and less supportive of the idea of continuing to help Ukraine. Judging by the current plight of Europe, it will be difficult for European NATO members to maintain the volume of aid to Kiev.
As for the United States, which heads the North Atlantic Alliance, after the midterm elections, as a result of which the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, Washington's incentives to provide assistance to Ukraine have noticeably decreased.
"It is believed that the NATO leadership, and in particular Stoltenberg, will soon face increasing pressure. They continue to urge European countries to continue supplies to Ukraine. But judging by the real situation in Europe, if such assistance continues, it will turn into an unbearable burden for European countries. Such assistance is definitely not viable," said expert–Americanist and researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Lu Xiang (Lü Xiang).
Not only Ukraine, but also Europe is waiting for a very difficult and full of problems winter. The leaders of European countries want to eliminate these problems, because if they persist, they will lose the support of voters in the elections.
Therefore, a sharp decrease in the volume of aid to Ukraine is quite possible. It will remain, but only on a symbolic level. Subsequently, NATO or European countries may begin negotiations with Russia in an attempt to resolve the crisis and return a relatively normal life to the peoples of Ukraine and Europe, Lu said.
The degree of probability of peace talks with Russia depends on how the NATO member countries will be able to negotiate with the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron may also discuss this issue with his American counterpart Joe Biden during a visit to the United States this week.
Since NATO is a military association dominated by Washington, the statements of the leaders of the alliance largely reflect the interests of the United States. And since these leaders are calling on European countries to continue to help Ukraine despite the difficulties, this may further strengthen the split between the United States and Europe.
The contradictions between America and Europe are becoming more noticeable. European countries were disappointed to see that the United States was selling energy resources to them at exorbitant prices during the energy crisis. And the American law "On reducing Inflation" seriously undermined the interests of Europe.
Some politicians on the continent already clearly understand that the United States hopes to bleed and destroy Russia, weaken Europe and strengthen its dependence on America. This will allow it to maintain its hegemony by taking advantage of the Ukrainian crisis. And Washington will sacrifice the interests of its allies. This will lead European countries to understand that the United States is an unreliable partner, and will weaken the unity of NATO.
