Russia is waging a hybrid war against NATO and EU members: Military analyst on the war in Ukraine

Experts claim that the United States is not doing enough to support Ukraine throughout the war against Russia, writes Newsweek.

One military analyst has extended this criticism to all North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and European Union (EU) member states, according to the website.

Russia launched a “special military operation” against Ukraine in February 2022, and despite plans to quickly take control of Ukraine, the war is now approaching its one-year anniversary.

Over the past year, NATO and EU countries have helped Ukraine by supplying the country with the tools needed for war.

Such tools include various missile systems and tanks.

NATO support enabled Ukraine to launch a strong counter-offensive last autumn, but combat success on both sides has stalled in these winter months.

In an article in the Kyiv Post, reported by Newsweek, military analyst Hans Peter Midtan argues that Western countries are not doing enough to support Ukraine in a way that would lead to victory.

He said that NATO support, including the US, is reactive.

Midtan said that Ukraine’s success in the war has emboldened NATO countries that were previously wary of Russian retaliation.

“This professionalism has helped Ukraine get more sophisticated new weapons, as well as test Russian resolve,” Midtan wrote.

But he stresses that the West needs a new strategy to help Ukraine end the war on its terms.

“The US, the EU and NATO need a strategy that is proactive and ensures that the West and Ukraine take the initiative,” Midtan wrote.

“It is time to recognise that Russia is waging a hybrid war against both NATO and EU members and act accordingly,” he added.

Midtun argues that Ukraine will be closer to victory if it has the right equipment, such as modern fighter aircraft like the F-16 fighter jets.

US President Joseph Biden, however, has refused to deliver the planes.

Midtan said that aircraft and long-range firearms were “crucial” to give Ukraine an advantage in the war by allowing it to attack Russian territory and destroy Russian equipment such as aircraft, missile systems and artillery …

However, Mark Kantian, senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, told Newsweek that even the supply of additional weapons cannot guarantee Ukraine’s victory.

Instead, victory will come in different ways – for example, through weapons, troop training and resilience.

Kantian told Newsweek that continued military support is crucial to help Ukraine in the war.

He argues that F-16s may not be the best form of support because they are very expensive, difficult to maintain and vulnerable to attack when not in the sky./Danas/