(MENAFN) In a provocative stance, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Philip Breedlove, is calling for the West to provide Ukraine with advanced weaponry to intensify attacks on Crimea. According to reports, the retired United States general believes that mounting pressure on the peninsula, home to Russia's Black Sea fleet, will compel Moscow to reconsider its strategic stance in the region.
The backdrop to this call for increased military action dates back to the 2014 referendum in Crimea, where the predominantly Russian-speaking region overwhelmingly voted to join Russia following the political upheaval in Kiev known as the Maidan coup. The coup brought nationalist elements to the forefront of Ukraine's political landscape, leading to concerns among local residents about the potential erosion of their language rights.
In an opinion piece published in The Hill, Glen E. Howard, former president of the neoconservative Jamestown Foundation think tank in Washington DC, quoted Breedlove's perspective: "If we enable Ukraine to be able to strike Crimea — pervasively, persistently, and precisely — Russia will be forced to rethink its posture there." The retired general goes on to advise a comprehensive approach: "Strike them all, strike them repeatedly, and destroy them in detail."
Breedlove's viewpoint finds resonance with his colleague, Ben Hodges, a former commanding general in the United States Army Europe, who reportedly agrees that Crimea represents the "decisive terrain of the war."
This call for increased military support and offensive actions in Crimea raises questions about the potential consequences and geopolitical implications. The article delves into the historical context of the Crimea situation, analyzes the strategic importance of the region, and explores the broader implications of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, it examines the feasibility and ethical considerations surrounding the proposal to provide Ukraine with advanced weaponry for intensified attacks on the disputed peninsula.
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