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Wednesday | 22 January 2025 | Epaper

Is Putin signalling the dawn of a new nuclear age?

Published : Tuesday, 10 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 580
Farnaj Zaman
A grim reality known as "The Nuclear Age 3,"is beginning to emerge in Europe and beyond. It is centred on what appears to be a covert struggle between the West and Russia. It was orchestrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a veteran KGB agent, to convey the message that Western assistance for Ukraine would not be free. While in Malta for a security discussion, United States Secretary of States Antony Blinken accused Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of triggering a "tsunami of misinformation," while Lavrov accused NATO of initiating a "new cold war."

During his visit to Minsk, President Putin startled everyone by announcing plans to place the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Belarus. The scheme is known informally as the "Ballistic WW3 Plan to counter NATO." Putin stressed the missiles would be stationed in Belarus and labelled them "nuclear-like" during a joint news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Additionally, he denounced the "irresponsible" actions of the West, saying they were causing the globe to descend into war. This declaration coincided with the signing of a significant defence pact between Russia and Belarus, solidifying their military cooperation.

Algeria has been interested in Russia's Sukhoi 57 stealth fighter jets; it has ordered 14 Su-57 aircraft since negotiations with Russia started in recent years.  This occurs as Rabat's increasing ties to NATO and the West worsen Algeria's tensions with neighbouring Morocco. Morocco recently ordered F-16 Block 70 aircraft, ATACMS, and Javelin missiles from the US. Now, Morocco and Algeria are engaged in arms race.

Even while a hypothetical future NATO presence inside Ukraine would cause Moscow's military strategists a number of serious problems, Finland's recent admission has already doubled Russia's shared border with the Alliance in a single night. With Sweden joining, the Baltic Sea will become a NATO lake, which may have even greater implications for Russia.

In an attempt to position himself for a negotiation stance early next year, Putin is attempting to incite anti-Western sentiment and intimidation. Kyiv Rejects Other NATO Membership Assurances. The more the West feels threatened, the more they want the war to be ended. He may receive a variety of palliative care and have the sanctions waived. When it comes to new equipment, Russia likes to show it off. The West prefers to keep things under wraps because it is aware that if you display something, people will extract all the facts. The $117 nighthawk, known as the "Black Program," is a prime example of that. It was the first stealthy aircraft that was utilized in the Gulf War, but it had been in service for ten years prior, during which time America kept it a secret in order to surprise the world when necessary. Zelensky has been pleading with the West for the next iteration of the improved air defence system; he may also be interested in the updated Patriot system that the USA recently sent to Israel. But that could compromise the West's long-term security.

In the Russian region of Kursk, another development is taking place. Ukraine launched a daring invasion of the Kursk area in August, marking the first invasion of Russia since World War II. Ukraine appears to have used this tactic in an attempt to relieve pressure on its front line by forcing Russian forces to evacuate the Donetsk and Luhansk areas.The issue was that the Russians increased the pressure in the Donbas and mainly disregarded it.

Russia's "invincible" hypersonic missiles are being used in retaliation for Ukraine's extensive attacks. Warning to the West is sent by the missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. It may be armed with nuclear warheads and has a range of several thousand kilometres. NATO is on high alert.  However, Ukraine's initial expansion into Russian territory was permitted by the USA, France, and Great Britain.  Russian troops are rapidly moving on Ukrainian territory, with North Korean troops also being sent in to assist them.

Russia is carrying out attacks in a covert and delicate way by focusing on vital infrastructures, including public trust. Physical devastation is only one aspect of it; psychological warfare also shakes nations' confidence. According to reports, the ransomware assault on the NHS and the attempted assassination of a German armament executive are all deliberate attempts to make the price of backing Ukraine appear too steep.

Lavrov directly accused the Biden Administration of convincing European nations not to trust the Russian Red Lines and aiding Europe in intensifying the conflict in Ukraine. On the contrary, Trump's consideration of settling the Ukrainian problem stems from his recognition that Ukraine has no realistic prospect of winning, not from any sympathy for Russia. The long-term strategy of combating Russia will therefore continue under Trump. The cost of extending the Ukrainian crisis falls on the shoulders of Europeans.

However, Russia would not go to war with NATO and the West directly, Putin asserted. It is impossible for the Ukrainian army to strike without the latest long-range precision equipment made in the West. If this choice is taken, it will essentially imply that the United States, NATO nations, and European nations will be directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine. This will demonstrate that the West will fight Russia, but it also fundamentally alters the nature of the struggle. That Putin will make the right choice is obvious if this occurs.

Although it may seem strong on the surface, Russia's international strategy is starting to show signs of weakness, just like Russia itself. Protests against pro-Russian political leaders are occurring in Georgia and Romania, the Russian military is becoming more and more mired in the quagmire of invading Ukraine, and rebels in Syria are destroying the Assad regime. Many outsiders are unaware of how much worse Putin's condition is, and it's possible that the puppet-master is losing control of his puppets. The "total capitulation" of Ukraine is all that the Russian ruler wants; a negotiated remedy is not.

The writer is a student of the Department of International Relations, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)


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