Let sleeping dogs lie.
The idiom is wise as it is true. In any scenario, it’s wise to put yourself at a position of safety and invulnerability. To achieve such, we must not stir trouble with the dominating player on the field, obviously for fear that we might put ourselves in harm’s way.
Unfortunately, that’s not what Russia did.
Preface
The Group of 20 (G-20) meeting in Bali on Tuesday highlighted the importance of global security in this day and age.
Members of the summit included Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (in place of President Putin).
Before the meeting, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that the summit, rather than fixating on security issues, should be more economic-centric.
Escalation: More War
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, missiles were launched into Poland on early Wednesday (local time), taking the lives of two. The Polish foreign ministry reported that the missile was Russian made and sought explanation from the Russian ambassador.
Russia reasoned that the missile strike was meant for parts of Ukraine’s infrastructure, but unfortunately hit the Polish village of Przewodów.
Poland is now considering the invoking of NATO Article 4 to discuss its concerns with the NATO decision-making body.
Article 4 covers the case of when a member feels threatened by another country. All NATO members will then engage in discussion at the request of the threatened member.
Contents of the talks may include the existence of the threat and how to combat it. At the end of the discussions, a unanimous decision on taking the next step is formed.
Leveraging on the circumstance, Zelenskyy faulted Moscow and deemed the strike “a very significant escalation” of the war, since Poland is a NATO country.
“This is a Russian missile attack on collective security!” he added.
You thought the war was between Russia and Ukraine. I thought the war was between the two as well. Well, we all thought wrong, because NATO might be involved now.
Following up, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for an “immediate” NATO summit.
“Today, protecting Ukraine’s skies means protecting NATO,” said the minister.
NATO is an intergovernmental organisation and has a history of conflict with Russia.
Because of NATO and Russia’s close geographical proximity, the countries in between are often fought over.
NATO has 30 member nations, strongest of them including the UK and the US. By triggering NATO, Russia has caused the potential mobilisation of all NATO forces, putting them at a severe disadvantage in the war.
Wrong move, Russia.
The World’s Response
Countries such as Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have taken to the media to send their condolences. Some NATO nations have also started to get cautious and announced the importance of strengthening defence.
In the US, The White House is requesting nearly $40 billion in fresh funds from Congress to support Ukraine.
Approximately half of the funds ($21.7 billion) would be used for military support, while $14.5 billion would be used for humanitarian aid. For energy replenishment and healthcare, $626 million and $900 million would be provided respectively.
Apart from NATO, the European Union has also voiced their piece.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the intergovernmental organisation is “closely monitoring” the situation in Poland. She has also extended the support and condolences to Poland and Ukraine via Twitter.
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