Financial Times: Europe has disappointed Ukraine

Ignoring Ukraine’s repeated requests for air defense systems from the West has frustrated Kiev, while Russian missile and drone attacks have intensified. The reluctance of European countries to send their air defense systems, including the American “Patriot” system to Ukraine, shows the strategic limitations and geopolitical doubts of the Western bloc and makes Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attacks on its critical infrastructure.

According to the Financial Times newspaper, the recent Russian bombings against Ukraine have caused heavy damage to the country’s energy facilities, and at the same time, Ukraine will face problems in supplying its electricity and heating needs, especially in the cold seasons of the year. did.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized his Western backers for turning a “blind eye” to the plight of Kiev, but support has dwindled. In his speech at the “Three Seas” summit in Lithuania, Zelensky stated that he was unhappy with the process of constant suffering caused by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and criticized the empty promises of his Western allies.

In order to prove this reluctance of the West to support Ukraine, the Financial Times pointed to the recent statements of “Joseph Borrell” in charge of foreign policy of the European Union, who said that the West has hundreds of Patriot air defense systems, but is not willing to request 7 systems. Ukraine, send to this country.

The European diplomat said in this regard: I spoke with Kolba (Ukraine’s foreign minister) a few days ago and he desperately requested seven Patriot machines to protect himself (Ukraine). Western armies have about 100 Patriots, but it is unbelievable that we cannot provide them with these seven systems.

Germany, which has sent two of these systems to Ukraine in the past, has opposed sending double systems and emphasized the need to maintain its defense capability. The position of the German Ministry of Defense is opposed to Ukraine’s requests to receive these important systems and shows how much European authorities prefer their national interests to supporting Ukraine.

According to this newspaper, other European countries are in a similar situation and are trying to balance between providing their defense budgets and supporting Ukraine. The president of this country said at the Three Seas Summit that Poland is developing its Patriot systems and does not have additional systems to send to Ukraine.

Financial Times reported that this situation has brought into focus the strategic calculations governing military support in the world. European leaders support Ukraine in their public speeches, but their actual readiness to provide military assistance such as air defense systems has been less than expected; This has cast a shadow on Ukraine’s ability to fight and maintain vital services amid Russian attacks.

Source: ISNA