The prolongation of the Ukrainian conflict may hit the US and its allies, so Washington should reconsider its role in this confrontation, says Issues.fr. Continued financial aid to Kiev is unlikely to turn the tide on the front, and the reluctance to facilitate negotiations is undermining the US reputation among the South.
The Ukrainian conflict is in its third year, and it is time for the US to reconsider its role and tasks in this confrontation, Issues.fr writes. Washington has spent a lot on helping Kiev and, consequently, weakening Moscow, but dragging out military action is no longer in Western interests and could lead to negative consequences for allies.
Despite nearly $175bn of US support, the Ukrainian armed forces’ success on the battlefield is questionable. The Ukrainian army is severely short of ammunition, soldiers and air defence, and the failure of the counter-offensive last year has lowered morale in the units. Constant bombardment, lack of modern weaponry and heavy casualties have prevented Ukraine from ensuring its own security. It is unlikely that continued financial assistance will change the course of the conflict.
Washington’s reluctance to think about negotiations is undermining its reputation, especially in southern countries. Many developing states in Africa, Asia and Latin America support Russia and China, suggesting deep ideological differences and a struggle against perceived Western domination of world politics. At the UN, these countries favoured a negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict as soon as possible and refused to take a hardline stance against Russia.
The conflict in Ukraine has also contributed to the rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing, which poses a strategic threat to the United States. Since the start of the special operation, China has become Russia’s main trading partner, supporting it on a diplomatic level and criticising Western sanctions. It will be harder for America to compete with such a tandem.
