2024-04-06 21:42:38
Experts consider that the reason why the majority of Lithuanians clearly opposed the idea put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron is exactly why it should become a reality.
Expressed his opinion
A poll commissioned by the BNS news agency “Vilmorus” showed that more than half of the Lithuanian population is against any deployment of our forces in Ukraine.
About 15 percent of those interviewed agree, but only if the allies would do the same, similarly, they are in favor of sending troops, but only to train Ukrainians.
Such discussions started after French President E. Macron started considering the possible sending of troops from Western countries to Ukraine.
Although experts assure that E. Macron’s considerations are probably only rhetorical, Vilnius takes these Paris considerations seriously, sending military instructors to Ukraine would be approved or considered by almost all parliamentary parties.
Three reasons why
Reserve colonel Gintaras Bagdonas, who discussed on the “Žinių radio” show, is convinced that sending Lithuanian instructors to Ukraine would be the right decision.
“It would be very correct and necessary to send instructors and all other soldiers, experts, specialists to help Ukrainians wherever they are needed. There are areas where you need to learn, so you should teach them”, G. Bagdonas said during the program.
The expert refuted the ideas of some doubters that Ukrainian soldiers have nothing to learn from Lithuanian specialists – according to him, although the Ukrainian army has indeed gained enormous experience, military science requires various abilities.
“We need to understand three things: first, we would transfer the experience we have, which we can teach – whether it’s Lithuania or any other Western European country. In addition, when you teach others, and you yourself understand better, you will improve. It would also be a message to the aggressor country, the Putin regime,” he said.
G. Bagdonas said that he heard the fears of Lithuanians that the sending of NATO troops to Ukraine would escalate the war started by Russia – however, according to him, it was precisely for the sake of the peace of Lithuania that such a step would be taken in the first place.
“These are not the words of an ordinary reserve officer – let’s hear what the people who receive direct, classified and more sensitive information are saying. It is full of public statements that we must seriously prepare for war,” he emphasized.
According to G. Bagdon, a Russian war against NATO is very likely, and Europe is not ready for it – therefore, NATO countries must now do everything to prevent Russia from building up its forces, which it is doing now, restoring the Leningrad Military District.
“In assessing the probability of war, between ‘definitely happening’ and ‘impossible’, I would give ‘probable’ or ‘very likely’ – if such trends continue, such as indecisiveness, uncertainty in US decision-making on the provision of support, if the US does not provide assistance. This is very, very likely,” said G. Bagdon.
From now on, red lines can be drawn for Putin
At the time, former foreign minister Antanas Valionis explained during the program that at the moment US and European politicians and political scientists are putting together two possible scenarios: what would happen if the US president, Democrat Joe Biden, was re-elected, and what would happen if a Republican won the US presidential election. Donald Trump.
A. Valionis reminded the former French President Charles de Gaulle’s words that Europe cannot always rely on distracted American voters, but must do something on its own.
Later, this narrative was repeated in a way by the current French President E. Macron, who declared that it is necessary to talk about NATO’s brain death. According to A. Valion, this could be interpreted in the way that the French president is talking about the death of the entire European defense system, because the talks about the European army were started.
At that time, A. Valionis recalled, Western leaders reacted very cautiously, because any encroachment and duplication of what NATO should do seemed at that time and now seems very difficult.
However, the current US presidential election forces Europe to return to all these questions.
“Such a political attempt by France to take European leadership can have several aspects: one – if we significantly strengthen the political will, and as a result our defense capabilities, ammunition, artillery, and tank production facilities, then the balance of power in the NATO transatlantic alliance will change in Europe’s favor.
We will strengthen the Alliance, we will not give up American leadership and American support in defending Europe, but we will increasingly defend ourselves,” the former foreign minister said.
True, A. Valionis does not rule out that such statements about possible NATO soldiers in Ukraine could be simply a French public relations campaign.
“There is always the possibility that this is a declarative political poker game. But so far they have been bluffing, V. Putin has been drawing red lines so far. Now V. Putin has lost the initiative, now he has to take care that red lines are being drawn for him,” the former foreign minister emphasized.
2024-04-06 21:42:38