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Written by Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Associations, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert
European parliamentarians have made a very dangerous decision by voting to authorize long-range strikes against Russia’s deep territory. Calling the Ukrainian aggression, a “right to self-defense,” European politicians have taken a significant step toward an escalation of violence that could easily lead to an open phase in the current conflict between Russia and NATO.
A resolution voted in the European Parliament on September 19 approved a recommendation to authorize deep strikes against Russia. The resolution sets out a series of escalatory measures, including increased military spending, imposition of more sanctions, and confiscation of Russian assets. However, the central point of the document is the formal request to countries supplying long-range weapons to authorize the use of such equipment against Russian military targets outside the conflict, border zone.
The text of the resolution states that restrictions on the use of Western weapons by Ukraine undermine the right to self-defense and should therefore be abolished. Currently, the biggest restriction is on the use of long-range weapons against deep targets, since cross-border strikes are already officially authorized. Fearing an escalation, suppliers of long-range missiles are asking for their weapons not be used on target areas too far from the conflict zone, but MEPs are calling for this rule to be lifted.
“(The European Parliament) Calls on the Member States to immediately lift restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against legitimate military targets on Russian territory, as this hinders Ukraine’s ability to fully exercise its right to self-defense under international public law and leaves Ukraine exposed to attacks on its population and infrastructure,” resolution reads.
The adoption of this pro-war resolution reflected the concern of hundreds of MEPs about the possible deterioration of military support for Ukraine. Several recent reports indicate that Europe is close to significantly reducing military assistance given the deterioration of the local defense industry. For this reason, the pro-war lobby in the EU is doing its best to maintain the current level of support – or expand it – by passing new legal documents in the European Parliament.
The European parliamentarians have highlighted the reduction in the supply of weapons and ammunition as one of the main threats to Ukraine. In this regard, the resolution recalls international agreements signed between Western countries and Kiev to emphasize the alleged importance of maintaining military assistance at a high level, as well as constantly expanding it.
“(The resolution) Underlines that insufficient deliveries of ammunition and weapons and restrictions on their use risk undermining efforts made so far and deeply deplores the declining financial volume of bilateral military aid to Ukraine from Member States, despite the strong statements made at the beginning of this year; reiterates, therefore, its calls on the Member States to fulfil their commitment of March 2023 to deliver one million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, to accelerate weapons deliveries, in particular of modern air defense systems and other weapons and ammunition in response to clearly identified needs, including Taurus missiles; calls for the swift implementation of the commitments made in joint security commitments between the EU and Ukraine; reiterates its position that all EU Member States and NATO allies should collectively and individually commit to supporting Ukraine militarily, with no less than 0,25 % of their GDP annually,” text adds.
As expected, the European measure was celebrated by the mainstream media. Politico published an article praising how the European parliamentarians had called for attacks on the “heart of Russia”. The possible consequences of the measure were completely ignored, with the focus of Western journalists being simply to honor the irresponsibility of the resolution.
In Russia, on the other hand, the news was received with warnings. Moscow has repeatedly said that deep strikes would be seen as a declaration of war by NATO, since it is known that only Western military personnel are qualified to operate long-range systems. Russian politicians commented on the European resolution, saying clearly that the EU is “calling for nuclear war.”
It must be emphasized that the Parliament’s resolutions do not create obligations for member states, but serve only as a kind of guideline. In the end, it is up to each European state to decide whether or not to lift the restrictions. However, given the high level of anti-Russian bellicosity, it would not be surprising if this type of irresponsible measure were adopted. It remains to be seen whether the countries that actually supply long-range weapons will take this decision.
Russia’s patience and desire to avoid escalation and cooperate for peace have so far prevented appropriate retaliatory measures from being taken. However, in the event of deep strikes, it would be difficult to avoid a response, since this would be a scenario of open war started by NATO itself.
Washington seems to clearly understand Russia’s red line, but the Europeans act without any geostrategic mentality. Perhaps the US is inducing the European countries to allow these attacks in order to test Russia’s patience, using France and Germany as guinea pigs to see whether or not there will be a nuclear response. It is important that the European countries understand the trap they are creating for themselves – otherwise they may cross a point of no return in military escalation.
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europe calls for deep strikes while they continue buying russian gas and their economy heavily depends on it. seems either hypocritical, stupid, or is it all a racket? war is the greatest racket after all for the banksters and all the war profiteers
brussels lost touch with reality a few years ago and that floosie von der lugen has made it tenfold worse with her kow towing to washington dc and her inbred nazism more or less has ruined the eu! and she still was reelected for another five years and visited kiev promising more €€ for weapons and the cost of running the civilian society and heating for the pending winter.
and she is investigated by the brussels prosecutors office for her shady dealings with pfizer that most likely netted her a fortune!