Editorial | Ukraine on course for even greater tragedy
Cooler heads are needed as war enters most dangerous phase with Kyiv hitting Russia with missiles from West and Moscow turning up nuclear rhetoric
The war in Ukraine is intensifying, with Russian troops capturing vast swathes of territory in their most rapid advances since they invaded in February 2022.
Ukraine’s defences, meanwhile, have been bolstered by support from US President Joe Biden in the form of permission to use long-range missiles to strike military targets deep inside Russia, and American landmines to slow the enemy advance.
The common catalyst for the sudden and alarming escalation is the re-election of Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the war swiftly. He is expected to pressure both sides to negotiate a rapid conclusion of hostilities.
But with two months to go before the inauguration, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be trying to carve out as much territory as possible, even as the US is reinforcing Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to help prevent that from happening, and strengthen his hand in any negotiated settlement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said Biden is committed to spending the remaining US$9 billion in funds pledged to Ukraine before leaving office for air defences, artillery and armoured vehicles.
These actions, together, come with alarming risks. The United States reportedly intended the new strategy to help show Ukraine has the potential to retaliate against Russia if it continues hostilities.
