Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: February 09,2023
By Staff writer
Peace and security is a prerequisite for sustainable development and well-being of the people. Since the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, the international community is largely concerned about the loss of innocent lives and disruption of economic activities. Advocates for peace have been looking forward to peaceful settlement of the conflict through political dialogue.
Although many countries globally wish peace to return between Russian and Ukraine through peaceful means, the US and NATO have acted differently. They took sides and supported Ukraine against Russia. They are supplying arms and heavy artillery to Ukrainian government which has fuelled the war that has claimed hundreds of lives and property.
In 2022, US military spending in Ukraine was estimated at $50 billion while in January 2023, the US Defence Department announced that it will give a further US $3.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The Kiel Institute has says that €108.8 billion from 46 countries in financial, humanitarian, and military aid, has been sent to Ukraine from 24 January to 20 November 2022. Out of that €108.8 billion, €51.8 billion came from the European Union and €47.8 billion from the United States, with most of the remaining coming from the United Kingdom, Canada and Norway, and significant but smaller amounts from several other countries.
In January 2023, US President Joe Biden announced that his administration would provide Ukraine with 31 US-made M1 Abrams tanks, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to supply Leopard 2 tanks as a part of its effort to strengthen German military support for Ukraine. Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Finland also joined the list of countries that provide support to Ukraine. In total, Ukraine expected more than 80 tanks from their European allies.
The above military support to Ukraine from US and NATO has worsened the already complex situation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It is unfortunate that US and NATO are using the Russia Ukraine war by profiteering from by sell of arms military technology thus reducing human lives to experimental targets of their weapons effectiveness.
The war has destroyed Ukraine, while the US which is fuelling the conflict is enjoying a military spending boom making the US arms industry is the biggest winner in Ukraine. Military experts have warned of excessive spending and the US military-industrial complex (MIC) beyond what is needed in response to Ukraine. As a result, the US defencecontractors are set for a bonanza. It is estimated that the US benefits about 800,000 through defence contractors which contributes greatly to US economy.
In short, the US and NATO are not after creating a peaceful world. Instead, they gain from creating and supporting war and chaos all over the world. The War between Russia and Ukraine has caused a disruption in global supply chains forcing increased prices of fuel and essential commodities worldwide, hence making life difficult millions of people in the world. Military support by US and NATO is not about stopping the war, it’s about making money. It has prolonged the war and suffering not only for the people in Ukraine but the entire global community.
