The World War began. Like it or not, Russia's war against Ukraine is not a small regional war, but part of a larger war. That of authoritarian countries against free countries, writes The Telegraph.
In one corner are Russia and its allies from Iran, China and North Korea. The problem for democracies is that only authoritarian countries realize that this is a world war and perceive it as such.
Ukraine is currently in a disadvantageous position due to the weak reaction of Western countries. But if that changes and they wake up, Russia could suffer a quick and lasting defeat. One that will teach other autocracies a lesson.
For rich and free countries, it may be comforting to think of what is happening in Ukraine as a regional, small war. Opposing only two countries. But that was never really the case.
Russia mobilizes its allies: Iran supplies deadly drones to Moscow, North Korea – projectiles, and China the components vital to the Russian military industry that have come under sanctions.
The Shahed drones, which are already being built in Tatarstan, have given the Russians an advantage they haven't had since the invasion: a relatively cheap weapon to hit targets deep inside Ukrainian territory. This campaign of terror affects numerous towns and villages across Ukraine, notes the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies.
North Korea, late last year, solved one of Russia's most serious problems: the shortage of artillery shells. By mid-2023, Ukrainian forces enjoyed a firepower advantage over Russian forces – and for one simple reason. The West provided more artillery ammunition to Ukraine than Russia received from its partners. In January 2024, that changed. In the US Congress, Republicans block new military aid to Kiev, and Moscow and Pyongyang agree to exchange food for millions of shells.
Russia is now receiving more ammunition than the West is sending to Ukraine, thanks to the continued supply of ammunition from North Korea. China also plays a central role in the military efforts of the Russian aggressor. The sanctions deprived the Russian arms industry of microelectronics and other components, but Russia circumvented them with the help of the Chinese. According to Associated Press data, China provides 90 percent of microelectronics imports to Russia.
Russia cannot win in Ukraine without allies from around the world, just as Ukraine cannot win the war without the help of its allies. Yes, there are Russians fighting Ukrainians at the front, but this is a wider global conflict. Bets are also global.
US General Christopher Cavoli has warned that Russia does not intend to stop in Ukraine and that the Russian threat is chronic.
Republicans in Congress wrongly claim that the war in Ukraine is not America's problem. This is certainly not the position of Tehran, Pyongyang and Beijing. Autocracies around the world are already treating the war in Ukraine as a global one. They support Russia and the idea that a country can attack, destroy and conquer whenever and wherever it wants. And here the important question is whether the democracies of the world will respond and support the right of Ukraine and countries like Ukraine to be independent and choose their own destiny.