March 5, 2024
We should not close off the possibilities of supporting Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel said on Tuesday after a meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Pavel called for the expansion of forms of aid, including a possible presence in Ukraine. It was the French president who brought this up last week.
Pavel emphasized that he is not talking about sending combat units, but about forms of assistance and “non-combat engagement”.
“I’m in favor of looking for new ways, including a continued discussion about a possible presence in Ukraine,” said the Czech president, who said Europe must play a greater role in deterring Russia.
“Let’s not limit ourselves where we don’t have to,” he added.
According to him, it is identical if, for example, Ukrainian soldiers undergo training with Western instructors in their home countries or directly in Ukraine.
“Ukraine, despite being attacked, is still a sovereign country,” he said, reminding that a possible training mission is not a violation of any international rules.
“It’s up to us what form of assistance we choose,” he added.
Show determination
Macron rejected defeatism after the meeting. He pointed out the trickiness of the approach, where one’s own strategic limits are explained every day in relation to someone who started a war and has no limits.
“Ask President Putin what he is prepared not to do. Who started the war in Ukraine? Vladimir Putin. Who threatens nuclear weapons? President Putin. What are its strategic limits?” Macron asked himself, reminding himself that European countries cannot just speculate about Russia’s possible reactions and must show decisiveness.
I hope that the West can get arms and ammo moving to Ukraine fast enough, in sufficient numbers, and on a timely basis. This is the best case scenario.
If not, then dispatching Western troops to Ukraine will be a must, if the West likes it or not. The other alternative is forming defensive line in their own countries.
It’s too obvious that the topic of sending their troops to Ukraine makes many politicians cringe with fear and dread, some more than others. But, a few are open to it, although they still are a bit too careful.
Be it as it may, the idea has been given birth, and now it must be allowed to mature. For sure, it should wake many up to the realization that there is a dire need for military aid in Ukraine.
Uh, Mr. Ofp, as long as the West can’t even provide enough ammo for the AFU’s needs, sending Nato troops is totally useless. You can’t replace shells with soldiers. What shall they do, throw stones?
So, sorry, no, there’s no way around solving the ammunition shortage first. Only after that can there be a realistic assesment if Ukraine also needs Nato boots on the ground.
Of course, you’re right about that, Mr. Gray.
We could use them as bullet catches.
No, seriously now, they could start by closing the skies over Ukraine. That would be a huge help.
Biden should have threatened RuSSia with nuclear consequences in case they try to fully invade Ukraine. Biden and Obama are pussies! Trump can only make things better in my opinion.
I agree fully on Obumer and Biden. Trump? I can only hope that you’re right.
He doesn’t want to give aid to Ukraine.
I don’t know how this makes things better.
^bert