Kyiv – Taking the situation in Ukraine into account, the US and the NATO will enforce their military presence in Central and Eastern Europe, stated US President Barack Obama on Tuesday. The parliamentary majority sees this as a positive signal for Ukraine. Meanwhile political scientists say: this will not influence the situation in the East of Ukraine in any way; member countries of the NATO are only protecting themselves.
Deputy head of the Party of Regions parliamentary fraction Mykhailo Chechetov says he would not like the situation in Ukraine to escalate the situation in the entire world (though, as political experts say, this has already happened). And in the context of statements regarding the increase of the military presence of the US and NATO in Europe, the member of the Parliament is calling for the nuclear states not to “show off their muscles.”
“It would be undesirable for the situation in Ukraine to push the world towards the brink of World War III. Nuclear states – Russia, the US – have to understand this – that there is no room for jokes here. I am not just looking through the prism of Ukraine, now we have to look further than our own nose and see the world. God forbid for such showing off on both sides (I don’t like inclinations towards one side or the other) to push humanity towards the line, upon the crossing of which human civilisation fails. This is what I am looking ay, and not at Ukraine or Radio Svoboda. Nobody can get caught up in the game. If someone wants the crash of civilisation, they can be applauded. I don’t want this, I want world peace,” assures Chechetov.
A direct signal for Russia
Barack Obama’s statements are a direct signal for Russia, says MP from “UDAR,” secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee in questions of national security and defence Sergiy Kaplin. The increase of military presence in Europe will at least protect Ukraine from a dynamic start of a new phase of war, thinks the MP.
“If the world community removes itself from saving Ukraine in this long-term hybrid war between Russia and Ukraine, we will have World War III as a consequence, maybe even a nuclear one. Therefore the presence of the international contingent in Europe is a good signal, not for Ukrainians, but for Russia. That the further steps and movement of their Armed Forces onto the territory of the country, in an overt or covert fashion, will lead to an adequate response on part of the international community – assertive, irreversible and harsh,” noted Kaplin in his comments to Radio Svoboda.
The NATO does not intend to give military aid to Ukraine
The issue of increasing military presence in Central and Eastern Europe has nothing to do with Ukraine. As the US is simply doing its duty as a NATO member, in light of the obvious potential military threat on Russia’s part. This was said by expert in international security issues Grigoriy Perepelitsya in a comment to Radio Svoboda.
“It goes without saying that this aggression has far-reaching goals, and the NATO is reacting to the emergence of military threats absolutely adequately. According to the threat level, they are developing their powers. This way they are confirming that the principles of collective defence do work. For NATO members countries not to feel threatened that they might lose state sovereignty or be occupied, like Ukraine,” says Perepelitsya.
However, according to him, the relocation of the army will not influence the situation in Eastern Ukraine in any way
“Ukraine is not a member of the NATO, therefore the NATO does not intend to give military aid to Ukraine and unfold their army here. Besides the NATO’s diplomatic statements, they are not resorting to any real action to protect Ukraine, the NATO has no juridical grounds. Ukraine is a non-block country. How can the NATO give military aid to a non-block country, which rejects it by itself, having accepted the non-block status? The actions are directed against Russia, directed at the renewal of world order, and not directly to help Ukraine,” notes Grigoriy Perepelitsya.
At the same time, according to the expert, the entire civilised world is concerned that Russia has ruined the international security regime and world order. Accordingly, the US and the NATO want to punish the one who committed this international crimea. However, not because the military aggression regards Ukraine in particular.
Source: Radio Svoboda
Translated by Mariya Shcherbinina
