18 FEBRUARY 2024
Bloomberg has reported that representatives of NATO member states held private discussions at the Munich Security Conference about the need to prepare for a possible Russian attack on one of them amid doubts about the US’s role in defending Europe.
Source: Bloomberg, citing sources
Details: In a story headlined “Ukraine’s Allies Are Gaming Out a World in Which the US Retreats”, the media outlet notes that “NATO members now talk privately about a Russian attack on one of them as a danger that demands an urgent response, as they grow to doubt that the US will maintain its traditional role of protecting Europe as part of the alliance”.
Quote: “Whatever you call it, his [Biden’s – ed.] European allies’ mounting alarm springs from the realisation that they’re at a moment in which Russia has been emboldened by its battlefield successes, the US may scale back support for their region and they themselves have done too little to prepare.
That pessimism dominated conversations this weekend at the Munich Security Conference, where leaders and defence officials gather to take stock of the world’s biggest geopolitical threats.
Senior defence officials in attendance voiced concern about the US’s failure to deliver billions of dollars of funding for Ukraine, and said they were planning for scenarios in which this very public deterioration in support could encourage Russia to make a direct attack on a NATO ally.”
More details: Compared to the determination of previous meetings, this year’s Munich meeting was dominated by uncertainty, one official said.
“I can’t predict if and when an attack on NATO territory might occur. But it could happen in five to eight years,” German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told Bloomberg.
Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance, an opponent of aid to Ukraine and a close ally of Donald Trump, echoed the sentiment of many in his party when he said his country needs to refocus its foreign policy on Asia, leaving fewer resources to support Europe.
“The problem with Europe is it doesn’t provide enough of a deterrence on its own because it hasn’t taken enough of an initiative. The American security blanket has allowed European security to atrophy,” Vance said at a panel discussion in Munich.
According to a senior congressional aide, even if the US provides funding for Ukraine, the equipment will not immediately reach Ukraine. Bloomberg highlighted the need for air defence missiles, “the lack of which has already led to serious damage from Russian missile attacks”.
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https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/02/18/7442458
It’s been a hard battle for Europeans to realize that they are no longer living in the peaceful and safe post WWII era. The large-scale invasion of Ukraine changed everything. And, with a little help of an orange monkey and his corrupt buddies in our Congress, life is made easier for brutal dictatorships. Either Europe gets off its lazy rear to make things happen, or its future will look very bleak. America’s future too, by the way, if we get the pin headed orange monkey into the Oval Office again.
Right, Mr. Ofp. 2014 should have been a wakeup call, but instead European heads of state just glimpsed with one weary eye, turned around and fell into sleep again. Much of the blame for this has to go to formerly lauded Angela Merkel, with her huge influence in the EU, who now has been exposed as having been asleep at the wheel. That’s how such major accidents hapoen!
Right, Mr. Gray, Merkel has caused a lot of damage in Germany and internationally. I’ll never understand how she got to be so popular.
The members as usual are just thinking about themselves.
European countries with functioning armies should now be sending ground troops to provide defensive support for Ukraine.
At least a brigade worth each, depending on size.
Someone has got to say :
“Ukraine will not be allowed to lose even one more town.”
One thing is for damned sure, Scradge, Europe has not found its courage or foresight as I hoped when the war started.
Republicans who keep blocking the Ukraine aid should be banned from travelling to Ukraine-friendly countries and be sanctioned. Freeze their assets abroad and give the money to Ukraine.
And should they dare to travel to Ukraine, put them in a special guest house directly at the frontline while their visas are being checked!
I would welcome all those measures!