The possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out. At the same time, it should not be advertised. Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated this in an interview with CBS News, as quoted by holosameryky.com.
The American believes that the delayed aid from the US Congress to Kiev has caused great problems for the Ukrainians, and that the situation on the front for them is “quite difficult”.
„Putin had six months to rearm and regroup. The Russians are now moving – not only around Kharkov, but also in other places on the front. The Russians now have more troops in Ukraine than at the beginning (of the invasion),” said Robert Gates, according to whom it is now critical how quickly Washington supplies the Air Defense Forces, artillery and other munitions.
Regarding the possibility of NATO sending troops to Ukraine, an idea floated by Emmanuel Macron, the former Pentagon chief said that even if it were to happen, there should not be so much public talk.
„The idea of deploying NATO troops in Ukraine causes great domestic concern not only in the US, but also in Europe. There are probably a few European leaders who almost had a heart attack when Macron talked about sending NATO troops. I don't think this opportunity should be lost. But I also don't think it should be talked about so openly. You know, part of my problem is that our government talks too much. And some other governments also talk too much. Sometimes it's better to just do things and not tell people you're doing them.
Commenting on the differences in the approaches of American politicians regarding Ukraine, Gates noted that the leading role of US President Joe Biden in creating an international coalition in support of Ukraine, as well as the successful work of American intelligence before the full-scale Russian invasion, are managed to restore confidence in Biden, which was shaken by the disorganized withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. At the same time, Gates admitted that at the beginning of the full-scale war there were unnecessary delays in approving the transfer of one or another type of weapon to Ukraine.
Regarding the thesis that an end to the war should be negotiated with the Russian aggressor, Robert Gates recalled that Vladimir Putin has currently occupied a large part of Ukraine, wants to take over Odessa, wants to overthrow the government in Kiev at the expense of of pro-Russian power, and also wants guarantees that Ukraine will never become part of NATO. In Europe, they should think about what the long-term consequences will be if they negotiate with such a person, Gates pointed out.