Former US ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, issues a dire warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not rest until he takes control of Ukraine. Hutchinson's analysis follows recent events at the NATO summit, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns about delays in action against Russia.
Former US ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, has raised alarms over Russian President Vladimir Putin's relentless pursuit of territorial expansion, cautioning that he will not rest until he has seized control of Ukraine. Hutchinson's warning comes in the wake of the recent NATO summit, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration over delays in action against Russia.
Putin's Unstoppable Ambition: NATO Envoy Warns of Expansionist Agenda
Despite the support of allies who have provided new military aid and a pathway to NATO membership, Zelenskyy has emphasized the urgent need for unrestricted use of US weapons to target military targets within Russia. He argues that such restrictions hinder Ukraine's ability to defend itself effectively against Russian aggression.
The summit took place against a backdrop of political turmoil in the United States, with concerns mounting among Democrats about President Joe Biden's fitness to serve as commander-in-chief. Biden's recent gaffe, mistakenly referring to Zelenskyy as "President Putin," has further fueled these concerns.
Putin's Unstoppable Ambition: NATO Envoy Warns of Expansionist Agenda
NATO members appear divided on Biden's reluctance to lift strike bans for Ukraine's offense. Some, like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have declined to criticize Biden, while others, such as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, have echoed Ukraine's pleas for greater freedom in targeting Russian forces.
Biden, however, has remained steadfast in his adherence to the advice of his defense and intelligence officials, expressing concerns that unrestricted use of American-made weaponry could provoke Russia to escalate the conflict.
Ukraine has been the primary focus for European and North American leaders at the summit, with Biden announcing a new military aid package and pledging unwavering support for Zelenskyy. However, despite Zelenskyy's expressions of gratitude, he has maintained that Ukraine cannot achieve victory without the lifting of restrictions on the use of US weapons against Russian military targets.
The Biden administration's reluctance stems from concerns that broader use of American-made weaponry could trigger a wider war with Russia. Nevertheless, calls for dropping the restrictions have intensified in recent months, in light of Russian military gains and delays in vital military support for Ukraine due to political battles in the US.
Stoltenberg and Macron have been vocal advocates for Ukraine's demand for greater latitude in using US-provided arms. They argue that imposing restrictions on Ukraine's ability to target Russian forces effectively undermines their efforts to defend their own territory.
In addition to the military aid package, NATO has also launched a new program to underwrite deliveries of military equipment and coordinate training for Ukraine's armed forces. NATO members have also pledged to sustain current levels of military aid for at least a year.
The summit has also been marked by growing concerns about the increasing support for Russia's invasion from China and North Korea. NATO recently labeled China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war, prompting China to accuse NATO of seeking security at the expense of others and warning the alliance against bringing "chaos" to Asia.
As the NATO summit concludes, the future of the conflict in Ukraine remains uncertain. Putin's relentless ambition and unwillingness to negotiate peace have cast a shadow over the event. The extent to which Ukraine will be able to defend itself against Russian aggression depends on the decisions made by its allies, particularly in terms of providing unrestricted access to the weapons it needs to neutralize Russian military targets.
