Facing Potential War with Russia, NATO will Create a Schengen Military Zone

Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, NATO's European Logistics Commander on Thursday (23/11/2023) asked the European countries that are members of this military pact to create a Schengen military area, which allows for the rapid movement and deployment of troops, equipment and ammunition, if necessary. the possibility of war with Russia on the borders of European countries that are members of NATO. This happened when Russia denied all accusations that NATO was preparing to face military threats and cyber attacks, even accusing NATO of being the cause of instability in Europe. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine's military would be forced to withdraw if Western allies stopped helping Kiev. In a meeting with representatives of foreign media, Zelensky said, "  Right now, I am focused on getting help from the West. Their focus changed because of the situation in the Middle East. Without the support of Western countries, we will retreat. Kiev has repeatedly emphasized that the assistance of Western allies, which have repeatedly increased arms deliveries to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war, played a decisive role for the country's army. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky At the same time, Ukrainian authorities are insisting on getting deliveries of larger quantities of more modern equipment and ammunition. Meanwhile, after the Al-Aqsa Hurricane operation and the Gaza war, Zelensky has repeatedly expressed his concern that, despite promises from allies, Western support for Kiev will decrease. He has announced that since the start of Israel's military operations against Hamas, he has received fewer artillery shells.

The Ukrainian President's recognition of the important role of Western aid, led by the United States, in the continuation of Ukraine's war with Russia and Kiev being forced to withdraw from the battlefield if this aid is stopped, shows how far the West has played a big role in the continuation of the bloody war in Ukraine, which now entering its 22nd month. The United States, as the leader of the Western bloc and NATO, has done its best to continuously expand the scope of the war in Ukraine with the aim of weakening Russia as much as possible and incurring human and equipment losses for Russia. Senior American and NATO officials believe that a Russian victory in the Ukraine war, even around NATO, would mean discrediting this military organization and expanding Russia's regional and international influence and power, and would change the security, military and political balance in Europe to the detriment of these countries. West Country. It seems that the Ukrainian issue is now practically no longer one of the priorities of European countries and to some extent also the United States considering other fundamental developments such as the war between Hamas and the Zionist regime as well as instability in West Asia on the one hand and the lack of military resources in these countries.

Kiev supporters on the other hand. The issue has drawn harsh criticism from Ukrainian authorities. They know very well that without continued comprehensive and extensive support from the West, they will not be able to survive even in the short term in the face of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine's military would be forced to withdraw if Western allies stopped helping Kiev. In this regard, Serhiy Marchenko, Minister of Finance of Ukraine said,  Ukraine's Western Partners are currently focused on the internal problems of their own country as well as the Middle East. Therefore it became difficult to finance Kiev. This Ukrainian official assesses the conflict between Hamas and the Zionist regime as one of the factors currently diverting the attention of Western partners. Marchenko also mentioned next year's elections in America and European countries as another factor and emphasized that  geopolitical changes and internal political developments in various countries are making allied countries less focused on supporting Ukraine.

Kiev currently relies on Western financial support to cover most of the $43 billion budget needed by 2024. Although the Biden administration insists that US economic and military aid to Kiev must continue as long as necessary, increasing opposition from Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, has tied the fate of the aid to Congress. Following the announcement of a reduction in US support to Ukraine and an increase in military aid to Israel following the war with Palestine, the White House announced it would hold a conference in December 2023 with representatives from Washington and Kiev present to find a solution to cover the reduction in arms aid to Ukraine. It is estimated that with reduced American military aid to Ukraine, this burden will be borne by European countries.