The last few days have been game-changers, marking an unequaled increase in aggression in Ukraine. This period is a grim turning point in the ongoing conflict that has lasted close to three years, generating widespread trepidation and speculation. In a surprising move, U.S. President Joe Biden okays Kyiv to launch U.S. long-range missiles within Russian borders. This unprecedented decision leads to Russia retaliating by testing a novel ballistic weapon that has raised alarm across the globe, fueling concerns of potential elevations.
Biden kicks off this shocking week with a bold decision. The American leader invalidates a longstanding policy, providing Ukraine with the green light to execute operations involving American long-range missiles on Russian soil. People had not seen this escalating situation coming as Washington had been against such actions due to concerns about aggravating the situation further and provoking a direct Russia-NATO conflict for months prior.
This U-turn decision follows reports of North Korean troops being stationed inside Russia in an effort to support Moscow in expelling Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk region. This report was backed up by the U.S., South Korea, and NATO. However, the details of this new policy, particularly about what Ukraine could do with its American-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), remained ambiguous.
The initial response from Russia comes on Monday, as they caution about the potential heightening tensions if Western weapons are used within its borders. These warnings are a direct reference to Biden’s move, which Moscow considers will lead to a global escalation.
The following day, Ukraine fires their ATACMS into Russia, specifically targeting an ammunition depot in Russia’s Bryansk region. This marks the first time Kyiv has deployed these weapons within hostile territory. To add salt to the wound, on the same day, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin formally lowers the bar for using nuclear weapons. This pose a considerable threat as this may enable Moscow to retaliate with nuclear force against any conventional attack orchestrated by a nuclear power-backed nation, like Ukraine under U.S. support.
Biden’s string of questionable decisions does not stop there. On Wednesday, the U.S. announces another policy shift that will supply Ukraine with anti-personnel mines to resist Russia’s advancing forces on the battleground. This move exacerbates the tension, in a clear testament to Biden’s lack of foresight.
Ukraine, undeterred and perhaps empowered by the Biden administration, hits targets within Russia again. Only this time, they use the British Storm Shadow missiles which is on par with the ATACMS, worsening Moscow’s aggravation.
Fast forward to Thursday, and Russia fires back. In an escalating tit for tat, Moscow fires off its new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine. This comes in direct response to Ukraine’s usage of the American and British missiles. Putin, in a televised address, mentions that the new missile, named Oreshnik, travels at an astounding speed of Mach 10.
Putin explains that US air defense capabilities would prove futile against this missile, boasting its speed and alluding to its roots in Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Attempting to maintain a semblance of international relations, Moscow gives Washington a thirty-minute warning before the attack. The missile lands on a weapons factory in Dnipro, a city in Central Ukraine.
NATO, seemingly unprepared for this escalation, calls for an emergency meeting in response to the dramatic change in the situation. Ukraine’s parliament also responds to the threat by cancelling a session as they amp up security in the city. They express concerns about a possible attack on government buildings.
In a continuation of the rising tension, the international community raises its voice in this dangerous development in the conflict. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk provides his own analysis, expressing that the conflict is ‘entering a decisive phase’ and ‘taking on very dramatic dimensions.’ Examining this week alone paints a disturbing picture of the Biden administration’s incompetence and an alarming escalation in hostilities.
Distressingly, the decisions of the Biden administration seem solely based on an attempt to agitate Moscow and stir up further trouble, with little regard to the global implications. These actions draw into question their ability to maintain peace, further fueling the discontentment towards their leadership.
The erratic shifts in U.S. policy steered by Biden and his administration not only expose their inability to take calculated actions but also drive the escalation of this conflict. By alarming Moscow and granting Kiev the leverage to attack, Biden fuels the fire in this already tense situation.
This week highlights nothing but the Biden administration’s glaring lack of judgment and understanding, pushing reckless policies that only serve to inflame an already volatile conflict. It only leads to increased violence, something that could potentially endanger world peace, showcasing a complete absence of sensible foreign policy discourse and execution.
By reflecting back on the week, it’s clear that Joe Biden’s actions have set off a chain reaction whose climax is far from over. An escalation that started with Biden’s surprising policy reversal has led to a situation which we can only hope doesn’t evolve into an all-out world conflict. Unfortunately, under current leadership, such hope seems grim.