Military analyst Sean Bell has raised concerns about the West’s approach to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the West has provided military and financial support, but has been hesitant in fully engaging in the conflict. Bell warns that this reluctance may be perceived as a weakness by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as other aligned nations such as Iran, North Korea, and China.
According to Bell, history shows that bullies only respect strength and tend to exploit weakness. While nobody wants to see the war escalate further, appeasement may not be the best long-term strategy to avoid such an outcome. The West’s attempt to balance support for Ukraine with the fear of escalating tensions between East and West has only served to embolden Putin in his ambitions in Ukraine.
Russia has struggled to overcome Ukraine, which has far less military capability compared to NATO. However, the West’s unwillingness to fully engage in the conflict may give Putin the perception that he can continue his aggressive actions with impunity. Bell’s warning comes at a critical time as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows no signs of abating, and the stakes continue to rise on a global scale.
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