More On: Putin
Researchers in the field of quantum computing experiment with additional qubits to explore their potential applications.
Russia's suspension of New START and the Future of Arms Control
Just say no to the new war that won't end
A Crisis Made in the World
How to Keep from Starting a New Cold War in a Multipolar World
In Ukraine, tensions are rising. At its Ukrainian border, Russia has already gathered around 100,000 soldiers. According to reports, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States have begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank missiles and a small number of Special Forces. Russia has denied that it is planning a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but it has warned that if Ukraine is admitted to NATO, it may take action.
NATO nations that are not members of the EU are preparing for a difficult assignment.
Despite the fact that the UK and the US have not put forces on the ground, they are actively involved in inflaming tensions by equipping Ukraine with weapons and missiles. The United Kingdom, which is rapidly approaching nullity, appears to have discovered a ray of hope in Ukraine. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated in the British parliament on Monday that the UK has "made the decision to equip Ukraine with light anti-armour defensive weapon systems."
Similarly, Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, appears to be eager to punch above his weight by poking Vladimir Putin in the eye. According to Global News, Ottawa has sent Special Forces troops to Ukraine. The news was released on the same day that Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal in Kyiv. Meanwhile, the US continues to ram the Russian invasion notion down the throats of unwitting Ukrainians, who were already victims of the Russian invasion in 2014 when Crimea fell to the Russian federation.
In regards to Ukraine, Europe has given the United States a thumbs down
All of these developments give the impression that NATO is already on high alert in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The truth, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. Aside from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, no other NATO member appears eager to take on Russia. European countries appear to have chosen a realistic approach to the problem. All nations with a stake in the game appear to be treading carefully around Vladimir Putin's red line in Ukraine.
NO to Ukraine, YES to gas supply is Germany's stance
Europe, you know, is completely reliant on Moscow's gas supply to be alive and functioning. Russia has already throttled gas supply to a level that has created enormous inflation in different markets, notably Germany and France, in an effort to remind Europe that it has switched to its energy sources. Berlin's main diplomatic priority is securing energy supplies from Moscow, which is hindering NATO's efforts to strengthen up defenses in Ukraine.
Ukraine, for example, accused Berlin last month of obstructing NATO defense shipments to Kyiv. Annalena Baerbock, Germany's foreign minister, recently stated that "tensions with Russia over Ukraine may be resolved via dialogue." Baerbock attributed her administration's rejection to deliver weapons to Kyiv to Germany's new strategy of maintaining peace along the Russian border. She claimed the government's new arms export restrictions are "based in our past" and that "diplomacy is the only path ahead."
The gas war between Russia and Europe
This would be music to Putin's ears, given that his chemical war with Europe has already created battle lines among NATO members. The present European energy crisis has recast Moscow's strategic role in the continent's large gas market. Russia has proved its clever capacity to drag the entire continent to its knees whenever it wants. Europe gets a third of its gas from Russia, and power interruptions are a possibility owing to Moscow's poor supply.
Today, the EU is looking at Russia with hopeful eyes, hoping that it would provide enough gas to keep its wheel turning. Russia also appears to be well poised to take advantage of this chance to further its own geopolitical goals. Russia, for example, is lobbying Germany to accept the Nord 2 pipeline project, which would help the EU deal with its energy issue.
Make no mistake: the Nord 2 project is critical for both business and political interests in Russia. While the project would make Europe too reliant on Russian gas supply, it will also provide the Kremlin with a strong geopolitical instrument.
Because Germany has yet to approve the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, Russian gas supplies to Europe rely exclusively on Ukraine's gas infrastructure. Not only that, but Ukraine earns around 1 billion Euros each year in transit fees for logistical assistance. However, as soon as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is operational, Ukraine will lose its hegemony over Moscow.
NATO is under Russian control
Overall, Europe's present energy crisis has rendered NATO's defensive capabilities practically useless. In the case of a conflict, Europe's over-reliance on Russia has seriously damaged its capacity to protect Ukraine. Simply said, Russia now has complete power over the EU. Russia also has a tight grip over NATO and its activities via the EU. Russia has taken control of NATO in order to prevent it from inflaming tensions over the Ukraine crisis. As a result, the former KGB agent has won the first fight against NATO gloriously, and without firing a single gunshot and with complete domination.
