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Transcript/ScriptYE Ukraine Conflict
HEADLINE: How Russia’s War on Ukraine Upended Global Security Order
TEASER: February invasion plunged Europe into a dangerous new era of conflict and nuclear brinkmanship
PUBLISHED AT: 12/6/2022 at 10AM
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: London
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman, MAS, SR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Teams, APTN, Reuters, AFP
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TRT: 3:09
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
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EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February brought large-scale land warfare back to Europe, plunging the world into a dangerous new era of conflict and nuclear brinkmanship. The West responded with huge supplies of arms for Ukraine and harsh sanctions on Russia. Henry Ridgwell reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
An unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation: Russia’s war on Ukraine upended the global security order. It has pushed NATO and Russia closer to direct conflict.
Announcing what he called ‘a special military operation’ February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked the ideologies of World War II.
((Vladimir Putin, Russian President (in Russian) ))
“We will strive for the de-militarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine.”
Russia threatened to use nuclear weapons if the West got involved in the war.
NATO boosted its defense forces in eastern Europe. Initially cautious, Western nations, led by the United States, began supplying more weapons to Ukraine - including howitzers, multiple launch rocket systems and air defense systems. But Ukraine’s demands for tanks and fighter jets remain unanswered.
((Ian Bond, Centre for European Reform))
“We've got to sort of move away from thinking in terms of supplying just enough for Ukraine not to be defeated, to supplying enough for Ukraine to defeat Russia.”
Western military aid helped Ukrainian forces recapture the cities of Kharkiv and Kherson. As the brutal winter sets in, major offensives have given way to trench warfare and long-range strikes. Russia is now targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
((Ian Bond, Centre for European Reform))
“Putin's attacks on civilian infrastructure and the cuts in gas supplies to Europe and so on is obviously intended to achieve victory through demoralization of Ukraine and its allies. I don't think that that is working.”
Analysts say the coming months will test the commitment of the West.
((Samantha de Bendern, Chatham House (in English) ))
“We can either allow a nuclear bully to get his way and live with insecurity for decades to come. Or we can make sure that Putin is not victorious in Ukraine and somehow try to rebuild something better on a much sounder basis.”
And as Russian losses mount, pressure on Putin is growing.
((Samantha de Bendern, Chatham House (in English) ))
“Even the most conservative analysis right now is looking at about 50,000 men dead in Ukraine. This is between three and five times greater than what the USSR lost in Afghanistan in 10 years, in eight months. I can't see how a society can sustain that.”
But can the West sustain its support for Ukraine? Washington insists it won’t waver.
((John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications))
“The President said we're going to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, and he means that.”
Far beyond the conflict zone, others – not least China and Taiwan - are watching closely.
The outcome of the war will not only dictate relations between Russia and the West; it will likely shape a new global order.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
London
Embargo DateDecember 6, 2022 16:52 EST
Byline
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
