NATO’s military leaders recently convened with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss ongoing military support for Ukraine as the war with Russia continues to escalate. This meeting took place amidst growing concerns about the war’s toll on Ukrainian civilians and soldiers, with reports indicating that many Ukrainians are increasingly yearning for a resolution to the conflict. After nearly three years of intense fighting, which has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, the desire for peace is palpable among the population.
Despite the mounting pressure for negotiations, President Zelensky has confirmed plans for a new offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, indicating that the conflict will persist. Reports suggest that the Ukrainian military is facing severe losses, with many of these grim realities being downplayed in the media. Conversely, any minor setbacks faced by Russian forces are often highlighted, creating a misleading narrative that suggests Ukraine is still on the path to victory.
The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that Zelensky has begun enforcing forced conscription, with disturbing accounts emerging of men being seized from public places and taken into military service. Under the current martial law, there is little room for dissent or refusal to serve, reflecting the desperation of Ukraine’s military position.
This troubling scenario is explored in detail in Scott Horton’s recent book, "Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine." Horton argues that Ukraine was not only losing the war but was also set up to fail from the outset. While he condemns Russia’s invasion as a brutal act, he emphasizes that the roots of the conflict extend back decades, primarily due to Western policies and military expansions that disregarded Russian security concerns.
Horton traces the conflict’s origins to the 1990s, when NATO began expanding its influence in Eastern Europe, contradicting earlier promises made to Russia. He highlights the pivotal moment in 2014 when the United States and its allies played a significant role in the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych. This event, often framed as a democratic uprising, is portrayed by Horton as a coup that marked Ukraine’s shift from a neutral state to a frontline in a broader geopolitical struggle.
The author asserts that Ukraine’s sovereignty has been compromised, with Western powers manipulating its political landscape to serve their interests. He also underscores the persistent issue of corruption within Ukraine, arguing that the ongoing influx of Western aid is a misguided strategy given the country’s troubled governance.
Horton’s analysis critiques the media’s role in shaping public perception of the war, suggesting that mainstream outlets have become complicit in promoting a narrative that oversimplifies the conflict as a battle between good and evil. He contends that this perspective ignores the West’s involvement in escalating tensions and overlooks potential diplomatic solutions.
As the war continues with no clear resolution in sight, Horton warns that Ukraine faces a bleak future. He calls for a reassessment of the prevailing narratives surrounding the conflict, urging a more nuanced understanding of the geopolitical dynamics at play. The pressing question remains whether the West will prioritize Ukraine’s survival or continue to support a protracted conflict that has already inflicted significant suffering on its people.