War is always about money. A lot of it! And resources, which, of course, are not free either. During a war, managing and controlling finances and resources become one of the most crucial tasks, which is understandable because it's very difficult to wage a war without the necessary funds.
History is replete with examples of rulers from different regions and eras who, in their desire to satisfy their ambitions or under the guise of some other "noble" pretext, started wars of various scales without properly assessing their financial capabilities. And then, quite soon, as the treasury ran dry, the wars came to an end. It goes without saying that before "puffing up one's cheeks," one should "bulk up the muscles." And modern warfare requires substantial resources and control.
These straightforward reflections are prompted by the events unfolding in Ukraine for over a year and a half now, right in the heart of Europe. For nineteen months now, a full-scale war has been raging in Ukraine, initiated in February 2022 by the political leadership of Russia. In terms of its unprecedented nature, it has no parallels since the end of World War II.
Russia, advancing ephemeral demands for "denazification and demilitarization," while disregarding all norms of international law, invaded the territory of a neighboring sovereign state. The methods employed in this war have revealed to the entire global community the inhumane and terrorist essence of Russia and its military-political leadership, which run counter to the norms of international humanitarian law. Sparse statistics indicate that as a result of Russian missile and artillery shelling of Ukrainian cities and their infrastructure, more than 25,000 Ukrainian citizens have perished. It's quite clear that the destruction of infrastructure that sustains normal life is nothing but a manifestation of genocide against the population of Ukraine.
Moreover, just as in early 2022 and now, the rhetoric of Russia's military and political leadership indicates that their escalation of the power struggle will only intensify. Russia's actions in politics and economics, in particular, confirm this conclusion. Despite substantial international economic sanctions, Russia has managed to increase its military production potential beyond pre-war levels. However, these "achievements" have come at a significant cost. According to various estimates, the war in Ukraine currently costs the Russian treasury, including its revenue, between 30% and 50%! Of course, it's the people who pay for the war, both with money and lives, with nearly 300,000 lives lost already. The furnace of war, which the Kremlin leadership shows no intention of extinguishing, voraciously devours everything and everyone, threatening to spew its flames far beyond the war's territory.
Here, it should be noted that the characteristics of Russian "peaceful" national policy are well-known in the world. It is entirely logical that, recognizing the potential expansion of Russian aggression into the territory of Eastern Europe (and perhaps Western Europe), a coalition of 57 countries has formed in the world, providing diverse assistance to Ukraine. Let's recall that during the Second World War, the anti-Hitler coalition consisted of 53 countries. Isn't that indicative?
Sincerely thanking and giving credit to all the countries that have provided substantial assistance to Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and statehood, we must acknowledge that the United States has taken on the primary burden of supporting Ukraine. Undoubtedly, the United States is a country that currently possesses the largest economic and military potential in the world. The U.S. government clearly understands the threat to global stability posed by the war initiated by Russia in Ukraine. Throughout all 19 months of full-scale war, Ukraine has received political and party support from the United States.
The events unfolding during this period only confirm that the support for Ukraine is not blind charity or mercy but a justified course aligning with U.S. national interests in maintaining peace and stability not only in Europe but also in almost the entire Western Hemisphere. The absolute figures of financial aid from the United States to Ukraine are very impressive, amounting to over $66 billion, with approximately $45 billion of that being military assistance. At the same time, this constitutes only 5% of Ukraine's military budget, and by using these funds to support Ukraine, the United States significantly contributes to the demilitarization of Russia. It is worth noting that Ukrainians are effectively implementing this process, as well as the deterrence of other potential aggressors in the world.
However, as already mentioned, money loves accountability. Despite bipartisan American support for Ukraine throughout the entire war, the U.S. Congress has initiated a procedure to monitor the aid sent to Ukraine. The chief controller appointed is Robert Storch, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense. It should be noted that Mr. Storch is a highly worthy candidate for carrying out such tasks, a top-class professional. But the question is not about him.
It is beyond doubt that Russia will escalate the war in Europe, and Ukraine is the main deterrent force that guarantees relative peace not only in Europe but beyond. Of course, Ukraine does not have the necessary resources to deter the aggressor on its own, and only the support of the Western coalition, especially the United States, will allow Ukrainians to put up a worthy resistance. This understanding is prevalent in the U.S. Senate. Senator Lindsey Graham's statement that America is destroying the Russian army without losing a single soldier only reaffirms what has been said.
It is indeed concerning when questions about global world security appear to be influenced by domestic political debates and considerations, especially in the context of assistance to Ukraine. Money matters, especially when it's a substantial amount, and those who provide it have every right to inquire about how it has been spent. Ukraine is confident in the correctness of the allocation of the funds it has received, and it has already demonstrated the effectiveness of using the assistance on the battlefield. Ukraine is ready to cooperate with Inspector General Storch in this regard. Welcome to Ukraine, Mr. Storch!
Source: latviatoday.info
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