Foreign media: Western European countries have their own calculations in the face of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis

Foreign media said that recently, the relationship between Russia and Ukraine has accelerated and deteriorated, and the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border has become tense again. Western European countries, on the other hand, have their own calculations in the face of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Britain said on Monday that in the face of a standoff between Ukraine and Russia, Britain had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself against a possible "invasion," Reuters reported in London on January 17.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament: "We have decided to supply Ukraine with a light anti-armor defense weapon system. He also said that the first weapons systems have been delivered to the Ukrainian side, and the United Kingdom will also send a small number of personnel to train the Ukrainian personnel in a short period of time.

He did not specify the number or model of weapons Britain provided to Ukraine, but said: "It is not a strategic weapon and does not pose a threat to Russia." These weapons will be used in self-defence. ”

"These are short-range weapons... Either way, it makes people stop and think twice about whether to drive tanks into Ukraine and 'invade' the country. In this way, they play a role as part of the defense mechanism. ”

Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexis Leznikov welcomed Wallace's statement. He tweeted: "Ukraine highly appreciates the UK's decision to provide us with a new batch of security equipment consisting of a light anti-armor defense weapon system!" ”

Britain has previously warned Russia of serious consequences if it launches a new "offensive" against Ukraine. At the same time, britain also said that it could provide financial support to Ukraine to strengthen its naval strength.

De gives "good words rather than new weapons"

German Chancellor Zollz urged Russia to ease the crisis in the area bordering Ukraine, Deutsche News Agency Madrid reported on January 17.

At a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez in Madrid on Monday, Scholz said the situation in the Russian-Ukrainian border region was worrying the German and Spanish governments and that the situation was "very, very grim."

"Military aggression against Ukraine has serious political and economic consequences," he said. That is why we spare no effort to avoid a situation that will ultimately cause everyone to suffer. ”

According to Agence France-Presse Kiev reported on January 17, at a time when Western concerns about Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine are intensifying, German Foreign Minister Berberk, who visited Ukraine for the first time, said on Monday that Germany will do its utmost to ensure the security of Ukraine and Europe.

In addition, according to the German "Daily" website reported on January 17, the Kremlin asked the West to promise that Ukraine would never become a member of NATO. German Foreign Minister Berberk again refused in Kiev on Monday: "No country has the right to make a claim on which unions other countries join." ”

"I don't want to hide that we also discussed the supply of arms with the Minister today." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Culleba said at a joint news conference with Berbock in the early afternoon. For a long time, the Ukrainian government has been in vain demanding weapons from Germany. Over the weekend, Ukraine's ambassador to Germany chose clearer language, saying of "no assistance provided."

In any case, Kiev still does not get the weapons it wants. In response to Kureba, Berberk said Germany did not want the situation to escalate further and that the "traffic lights" ruling coalition had agreed on restricting arms exports, which also applies to the case of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian side shouts that France "leads Europe and resists Russia"

An article published on Jan. 17 on the website of the French newspaper Le Figaro said last week's diplomatic actions proved that Europe needs to unite in the face of Russia's ultimatum. Russia's new actions will also be a test for France's strategy of "harsh dialogue" with Moscow.

The spate of events that began in the spring of 2021 is not isolated, but part of a broader Russian strategy aimed at weakening Europe's role and "undermining" its security, stability and peace.

Resisting this intimidation requires strong leadership. It is clear that France can play that role during its presidency of the European Union.

If EU diplomacy fails to prevent Russia from "attacking" Ukraine, the security order across the continent could be undermined. Why? Because Russia's desire for Europe is only going to get bigger. The time has come to make "harsh dialogue" truly demanding by strengthening real deterrence.

France's hard-line policy toward Moscow could fundamentally change the Kremlin's calculations. At this critical juncture, Europe must be both firm and principled.

Source: Reference News Network