Summary
Russia launched massive missile and drone strikes across Ukraine after the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Kyiv.
The attacks targeted energy infrastructure in multiple regions, injuring civilians. In the face of escalating US hostility, Zelenskyy is pushing for a ceasefire plan, proposing restrictions on missiles and Black Sea operations.
The U.S. has also halted weapons deliveries, and Ukraine reportedly lost access to U.S. satellite imagery.
Despite setbacks, Ukraine intercepted some missiles using French Mirage 2000 jets. The Kremlin is monitoring EU plans for increased defense spending, viewing them as a direct challenge to Russia.
So… Europe is going to massively step up support for Ukraine. It’s possible that unlike the United States, Europe will have no reservations about giving Ukraine everything it needs to not only hold Russia back, but to outright win.
An unambiguous win for Ukraine would almost certainly culminate in the death of Vladimir Putin and a full, systemic collapse in Russia. At this point, Russia is all in on destroying and taking over Ukraine, and if it can’t, it’s basically got nothing else to fall back on.
I really hope you’re right 🥺
It’s a very big “if,” though. Europe has a lot of work to do.
But with the United States falling to fascism and despotism, there’s no one else to step up. And I doubt Europe has any illusions about the size of the threat Russia poses, so they have every incentive to halt Russia’s expansionist goals there in Ukraine.
Putin once said Russia’s borders don’t end anywhere, a very telling sentiment: He doesn’t believe anything but Russia should get to exist. A country that doesn’t respect its own borders is a threat to all of its neighbors.
And because of its expansionist goals, its neighbors are the entire world.
My only question is why it took so long to get here?