Can Ukraine Stand Alone Against Russia? "Our Hopes Lie with the New German Chancellor"
"Newly Elected German Chancellor Sparks Optimism Among the Public"
In the shadow of Russia's tank parade celebrating victory over Nazism, experts in Kyiv are deliberating on how Ukraine can endure against its arch-rival with less or even without the aid of the USA. With cracks showing in the Western Alliance under President Trump, is there still hope for peace? And if not, what weapons could sway the war in Ukraine's favor?
Petro Poroschenko, Ukraine's former President, voiced concerns on the sidelines of the Kyiv Security Forum. The country grapples with a lack of troops, technology, ammunition, and air defense systems. "We find solace in the new German Chancellor," said Poroschenko, reassured by his recent conversation with Olaf Scholz. "Our fate is not just about supporting Ukraine, but about bolstering European security as a whole."
Political Landscapes Shift
Since Trump took office, the Western alliance has shown signs of strain. Ukraine, an embattled nation where Russian troops have been stationed for over a decade and a war has raged since February 2022, will not concede to this division. This topic dominates the speakers' addresses at the event, including that of Germany. Former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk implored the allies, "We persevered 80 years ago, and we will restore world order once more."
Weapons for Battlefield Dominance
Yatsenyuk drew parallels to history. When the Western world sought peace with Hitler in 1938, it was disastrous. "Hitler launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine." Today, Putin operates under different rules than Trump. He warned China and the Global South, "Those who remain neutral or present themselves as mediators should realize that neutrality in this war means complicity."
Kurt Volker, Trump's former Ukraine envoy, echoed similar sentiments during a panel discussion. "Putin will never embrace peace," said Volker bluntly. "We need military deterrence to dissuade Russia from continuing its aggression." Trump's government applies considerable pressure on Ukraine but offers little in terms of demands on Russia, Volker explained, underscoring the importance of increased pressure on Moscow to move towards a ceasefire.
Tech Prowess Embraced on the Battlefield
As Trump's aid to Ukraine nears depletion, the question remains: What weapons could save Ukraine from Russia's might? Vjacheslav Shutenko, commander of a battalion for unmanned systems, believes drones hold the key. "Technology, precision, and speed are critical in today's wars," said Shutenko. "Unmanned systems are no longer supplementary systems. They are decisive on the battlefield." Ukraine needs not just more drones, but scalable production and uninterrupted supply to secure victory, according to Shutenko.
Dmytro Shymkiw, a tech entrepreneur, concurred, emphasizing the importance of advanced technologies in protecting soldiers' lives. Shymkiw explained that rapid advancements in military technology, driven by the "will to survive," are taking place in Ukraine in a matter of weeks, thanks to close collaboration between engineers and troops on the front lines. This not only benefits Ukraine but also its allies, such as Germany and Britain, with improved defensive capabilities.
A Bright Future at Stake
While drones may be key, Ukraine cannot win the war alone. Well-trained troops and continuous international support are equally crucial. "We need all forms of support—diplomatic, with sanctions, air forces, and artillery—because we are facing one of the world's most powerful armies," said Shutenko. Ukraine's negotiations with Russia have been unsuccessful so far. Julia Kazdobina, a security expert and director of the Ukrainian Foundation for Security Research, argues that negotiations have been misguided due to a lack of consideration of history and the causes of the conflict. "Any concessions made to Russia will only worsen Ukraine's situation," Kazdobina warns.
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Friedrich Merz
- Ceasefire
- Arms Delivery
- Donald Trump
- Vladimir Putin
- Drones
- Military Technology
- Alliances
- Ukraine, attempting to stand against its longstanding adversary Russia, seeks to endure without excessive reliance on aid from the USA, due to the perceived vulnerability of the Western Alliance under President Trump.
- In light of the strain in the Western alliance, former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called upon allies to remember the resilience of Ukraine, holding up the example of its fortitude during the Second World War and pledging to restore world order once more.
- On the matter of weapons for the battlefield, Vjacheslav Shutenko, a commander of a battalion for unmanned systems, advocated for the use of drones, asserting that technology, precision, and speed are vital in modern warfare and that drones may be the decisive factor in the war.
- Discussing the potential for positive political change, Germany, through the lens of its new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has shown signs of supporting Ukraine, offering hope for bolstered European security in light of a divided Western alliance.
