'This Caused Another Wave Of Panic In Moscow'
- 15.08.2024, 15:19
The Russians have finished their game.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are have been conducting an operation in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation for a week now. The US reaction is noteworthy. If earlier the White House, in response to the attacks of Ukrainian drones on the territory of the Russian Federation, spoke of escalation, now it reacts absolutely calmly.
What has changed? Charter97.org addressed these and more questions to Oleh Belokolos, Director of the Center for National Resilience Studies in Kyiv, former Counselor of the Embassy of Ukraine to Canada and Kenya:
— It is obvious that certain changes have occurred in the general political climate of Washington. Most likely, there is some bipartisan consensus that Ukraine can take almost any action to restore its territorial integrity and protect sovereignty.
If you look at the recent visit of a group of American lawmakers to Kyiv, they positively assess the recent actions of the Ukrainian forces against the Russian Federation, including in the Kursk region.
— Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who was in Kyiv, showed an interesting reaction. He was very enthusiastic about the operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and made a proposal that retired NATO pilots could serve the F-16 in Ukraine. Will there be a new push, a strengthening of the positions of pro-Ukrainian politicians in the West as a result of this operation?
— Senator Graham is a fairly well-known and influential politician from the group of Republicans who advocate strengthening universal support for Ukraine. We see that various ideas on how to contribute to our country are constantly being discussed there.
Lindsey Graham is a longtime friend of Ukraine, who, even against the background of the restrained position of the Democrats on some issues, advocates even wider support, perhaps even with new types of weapons. There is this point of view in the Republican Party, it should also be taken into account. I think that such statements caused another wave of panic in Moscow.
— What can you say about the reaction of European politicians to the operation in the Kursk region?
— As of today, everyone assesses this operation quite positively and recognizes the right of Ukraine to carry out any actions for its protection. For quite a long period, residents of Ukraine suffer from constant shelling by Russia, especially residents of the border areas.
This situation has already passed a certain stage and has begun to cause outrage both in Europe and in the United States. For a long time, the killing of Ukrainian civilians and the destruction of infrastructure were not punished, and Russia does not bear any responsibility for this. In the end, the Russians have played to the fact that no one makes any statements that Ukraine should show restraint. Everyone supports us more or less.