Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war
A new mission under NATO is due to begin in January, the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, or NSATU, headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, will assume coordination of the West's military aid to Ukraine.
The initiative, months in preparation, aims at guaranteeing a smooth flow of support, despite possible political challenges e.g., from figures like Donald Trump. Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, underscored that Europe would increase its military involvement with Ukraine so that the latter could "act from a position of strength against Russian aggression".
The conference of European defence leaders, which also included representatives from Britain, France, Italy, and Poland, underlined the gravity of such a situation.
The security situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, as Russian forces are advancing significantly. In a report from the Institute for the Study of War, it has been stated that Russian troops have moved faster than at any time since the early days of the invasion as gains around the key areas of Kurakhove, Vuhledar, and Velyka Novosilka have taken place in eastern Ukraine.
These gains have stretched the Ukrainian defenses thin, analysts say, making other positions vulnerable. Meanwhile, airstrikes by Moscow continue to hit critical infrastructure, including power grids in Ternopil and Kyiv, further worsening the suffering of civilians in those areas.
In addition to military developments, concerns about Russian hybrid warfare tactics have also emerged. When a DHL cargo plane crashed near Vilnius in Lithuania, there were suspicions it was sabotage, with Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock suggesting that the crash could be linked to a wider pattern of Russian efforts to destroy European infrastructure.
The European Union is weighing sanctions against Chinese firms accused of helping Russia to develop attack drones used to strike Ukraine. Since the invasion took a more violent turn, Western powers, which include the UK, have maintained steady military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.
Particular attention is being paid to the fate of the foreign fighters, such as the former British soldier detained by Russian forces.
