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Text: Xu Xu.
Edited by Xu Xu.
The arrival of F-16 fighters in Ukraine, can it change the tide of the war? The undercurrent of great power competition is surging, and the geopolitical landscape is facing reshaping.
F-16 fighters: a lifesaver or expensive ornament for Ukraine?
On August 5, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky personally attended the handover ceremony of the first batch of F-16 fighter jets. The arrival of these advanced US-made fighters has undoubtedly boosted the morale of the Ukrainian army.
However, why is the Ukrainian side so secretive about the number of recipients?
According to sources within diplomatic circles, the number of F-16s delivered this time may only be about 10, which is far lower than outside expectations. Does this mean that Western support for Ukraine has reservations?
A NATO military expert, who did not want to be named, told this newspaper:
"The F-16 can indeed improve the air strike capability of the Ukrainian army to a certain extent, but considering Ukraine's limited pilot resources and logistics support capabilities, it remains to be seen whether these fighters can fully function."
In fact, Ukraine's predicament goes far beyond the lack of air force. As the war continues, its human resources and economic strength are constantly being consumed. Although Western countries continue to provide military assistance, whether Ukraine can effectively absorb and utilize these advanced weapons systems is still a question.
This incident quickly aroused heated discussions among netizens on the Internet. Some netizens think:
"The arrival of the F-16 is undoubtedly a shot in the heart, but whether a shot of a heart booster can save a dying patient is still a question."
Some netizens also said:
"Western countries are experimenting with the lives of Ukraine and testing their weapons systems."
Some netizens held the opposite view:
"Any support makes sense, even with only 10 F-16s, which can play a key role on the local battlefield."
More netizens analyzed from a geopolitical perspective:
"The arrival of the F-16 is not only of military significance, but also a symbol of the political support of Western countries for Ukraine."
Some military enthusiasts discussed the technical details:
"Although the F-16 has excellent performance, its survivability is worrying in the face of Russia's S-400 air defense system."
Battlefield situation: The Russian army is fighting steadily, and the Ukrainian army is struggling to deal with it
At the same time as the arrival of the F-16, the Russian army continued to maintain an offensive posture on several fronts. According to the latest battlefield information, the Russian army has made significant progress in the Toretsk direction, successfully occupying a large area of Ukrainian positions.
In the Seversk direction, the Russian army also continues to consolidate the areas under its control. Does this mean that the Russian army has regained the initiative on the battlefield?
It is worth noting that in the northwest direction of Artyomovsk (formerly Bakhmut), the Russian army is forming an encirclement of the Ukrainian army. A military observer familiar with the situation on the ground noted:
"If the Russian army successfully completes the 'pocket formation' in this area, it will pose a serious threat to the Ukrainian army."
At the same time, the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian army on the southern front seems to have hit a bottleneck. Despite the large number of advanced weapons provided by the West, the Ukrainian army has achieved little in breaking through the Russian defense line. This makes one wonder: is Ukraine capable of sustaining a long-term high-intensity military operation?
War is brutal, and it consumes not only the military resources of both sides, but also the future of the entire country.
The continuation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not only changed the security landscape in Europe, but also profoundly affected the global geopolitical situation. United States and its allies seek to weaken the power and influence of Russia by continuing to provide military assistance to Ukraine.
However, will this practice trigger a larger crisis?
A veteran diplomat privately revealed:
"The actions of Western countries have undoubtedly intensified the confrontation with Russia, which could lead to a further escalation of the conflict and even spread to a wider region."
At the same time, the position and role of emerging powers such as China and India in this geopolitical game have also attracted increasing attention. How will their choices affect the future international order?
Sanctions and trade restrictions triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine are reshaping the global economic landscape. Volatility in energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and rising geopolitical risks are all posing significant challenges to the world economy.
An international economist noted:
"We are witnessing a certain regression in the process of globalization. Countries are likely to focus more on economic security and the localization of supply chains. "
How will this trend affect the future of the global economy? How should countries respond to this change?
As the conflict continues, the international community's call for a peace process is growing. However, at present, neither Russia nor Ukraine seems to be ready to compromise.
A diplomat involved in the peace talks revealed:
"There are still huge differences in the positions of the two sides, and it will take time to reach a genuine peace agreement."
Under these circumstances, how should the international community move forward with the peace process? How can each side make the necessary concessions for peace while safeguarding their own interests?
Peace is never easy to come by, it requires wisdom, courage and, above all, the sincerity of all parties.
epilogue
The arrival of F-16 fighters has added new variables to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has lasted for nearly 900 days. However, the course of this conflict depends not only on the balance of military power, but also on complex geopolitical factors.
In the chess game of the great power game, the fate of Ukraine affects the nerves of the world. In the face of this far-reaching conflict, the international community needs to adopt a more rational and constructive attitude and jointly seek the path to peace and stability.
The current international situation is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, with various forces declining and the old and new orders alternating. Against this backdrop, we have to ask: where will the next world conflict be triggered? How can the international community build a fairer and more equitable international order while safeguarding its own interests?
There are no standard answers to these questions, but they deserve deep thought for everyone who cares about the future and destiny of the world.