Former Secretary General of NATO and ex-Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen calls on the USA not to hesitate to help Ukraine in the amount that will allow it to win and ensure lasting peace - on the grounds that it is to the benefit of the United States itself. He presents his arguments in a commentary for Foreign Policy.
Rasmussen notes that Russia's attack on Ukraine made defense issues relevant for the governments of European countries, and Finland and Sweden were pushed to join NATO.
"The war demonstrated that Washington remains the main guarantor of security in Europe. It also proved the need for the democratic world to unite in the face of the threat of autocratic states that behave more and more aggressively," the Secretary General writes.
He notes that the main strategic focus of attention for the US is the Pacific region and competition with China, but it will be more difficult to deal with these issues if, at the same time, Washington's forces and attention are tied up in a protracted war in Europe.
"The best way to avoid this trap is to give the Ukrainians everything they need to win this war. After that, the West must make sure that Russia does not want to attack Ukraine again," argues Rasmussen, recalling that he himself is involved in the development of ideas for guarantees . for Ukraine as the head of the working group at the invitation of Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
"The work of the group is still ongoing, but one thing is already clear: the best deterrent against further Russian aggression will be a militarily strong Ukraine. Therefore, the United States and its allies must provide everything Ukraine needs to protect its independence in the long term. If the West does not do this, the leader of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will not stop in Ukraine," the former Secretary General emphasizes.
He notes that the outcome of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine is of global importance, as dictators all over the world are now closely watching how the West reacts to the situation.
"A difficult winter is approaching, and the unity of the countries of the West will face challenges. But the West must redouble its efforts to ensure that Ukraine will win both victory and the rest of the world. If it fails, autocrats around the world will rejoice," argues Anders Fogh Rasmussen .
