(SQAUK) — On November 17, 2024, President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian targets. This decision represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and raises concerns about a potential confrontation between NATO and Russian forces.
Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, tensions between Russia and NATO have remained high. The conflict intensified in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resulting in widespread international condemnation and economic sanctions. NATO has supported Ukraine significantly, including military aid and intelligence sharing, while avoiding direct military engagement to prevent a broader conflict.
President Biden’s decision to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles enables Ukrainian forces to strike targets deep within Russian territory. This move aims to disrupt Russian military operations and deter further aggression. However, it also risks escalating the conflict and potentially drawing NATO into a confrontation with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently warned that providing Ukraine with long-range missiles would be seen as a direct threat to Russia’s security. He has claimed that such actions would be interpreted as a declaration of war by NATO, leading to a range of possible military responses from Russia. Despite these warnings, the U.S. moved forward with its authorization, which heightened regional tensions.
🚨🇷🇺🇺🇸 BREAKING: PUTIN WARNED NATO that they will enter a DIRECT WAR with Russia if Ukraine uses long-range US missiles to strike inside Russia.
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) November 17, 2024
Biden has now approved Ukraine to do just that…
pic.twitter.com/0X6o26fzxz
NATO has maintained a delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding direct conflict with Russia. The alliance’s rules prohibit member states from taking unilateral actions that could provoke a war with Russia. By authorizing the use of long-range missiles, President Biden may have violated these protocols, potentially compromising NATO’s unified stance and escalating the conflict.
The authorization of long-range missiles to Ukraine could lead to several significant consequences that might profoundly impact the geopolitical landscape. First, it raises the likelihood of escalating the conflict, as Russia could interpret this move as a direct provocation and respond with intensified military aggression, possibly extending its operations to target NATO member states.
Additionally, this decision threatens NATO’s unity, as member states might diverge in their opinions regarding the appropriateness of President Biden’s unilateral action, potentially leading to fractures within the alliance. Moreover, the global economy could face severe disruptions if the conflict expands further, with markets reacting to heightened instability and the looming threat of a broader war involving nuclear powers. Each of these outcomes underscores the gravity of the situation and the delicate balance the international community must maintain to avoid catastrophic consequences.
In a related incident, a critical undersea internet cable was severed near the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea on November 18, 2024. This disruption has raised fears of Russian sabotage following increased Russian naval activity in the region. The severed cable has caused significant communication disruptions, further escalating tensions between Russia and NATO.
President Biden’s decision to authorize the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine represents a significant escalation in the conflict with Russia; by disregarding Putin’s warnings and potentially violating NATO protocols, the U.S. risks igniting a broader conflict that could involve NATO forces directly. The international community must carefully navigate this precarious situation to prevent a full-scale war between nuclear-armed powers.
