As casualties mount on both sides of the war in Ukraine and the conflict settles further into a stalemate, our NATO allies are preparing to show their stuff on the world stage.
Ukraine is refocusing its campaign strategy by taking a more defensive approach to Russia’s constant advances. This change in operations is intended to give the Ukrainian forces the advantage of resting up and fortifying their positions while Russian troops throw themselves in harm’s way and are forced to find an alternative method of assault.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced his concerns last Wednesday that the reelection of former President Donald Trump may lead to a resolution to the war that is undesirable to him. Trump’s wish for the United States to stop aiding Ukraine reflects a growing sentiment across the nation. According to a poll from the Pew Research Center in December 2023, 31% of people said the U.S. is sending too much aid to Ukraine, a sharp increase from 7% in March 2022.
Amid declining American support in the war, NATO continues to pledge its support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced plans on Tuesday to complete contracts for $1.2 billion to mass produce artillery ammunition for use in Ukraine. This brings the total amount of NATO spending on various artillery shells in Ukraine up to $10 billion since the start of its Defense Production Action Plan last July.
Stoltenberg added that NATO is planning for a large military demonstration later this week. This “Exercise Steadfast Defender” operation is set to bring together “approximately 90,000 forces from all 31 Allies and Sweden,” the largest military exercise since the Cold War. He states this will demonstrate NATO’s “trans-Atlantic unity and strength and our determination to continue to do whatever is necessary to protect and defend each other. That includes making sure we have the right forces, capabilities, and ammunition.”
It is hard to say whether this large symbolic display in Europe will have its intended effect on Moscow. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has left the negotiating table available since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, he has shown no signs of changing his mind on achieving his goals there.
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However, Russia cannot handle the cost of the war for much longer. Russian casualties are so heavy that it is estimated they have nearly surpassed the number of troops initially deployed to Ukraine in 2022. The Russian army is also plagued with disease, low morale, and desertion. Ukraine’s casualties are also very high, but the backing of the Western powers is what has largely kept it afloat.
With large casualties on both sides and waning American support, NATO’s show of strength and continued devotion to Ukraine may give it the boost it needs to overcome its Russian aggressor and end the war.
