Why is NATO Not Aiding Ukraine In Russia’s Invasion?

 by Attish Das

West European governments have already condemned President Vladimir Putin’s actions on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and many countries have imposed economic sanctions against Russia, such as the exclusion of Russian banks using Swift. Swift is the global financial artery that grants the efficient and rapid transfer of money across borders. Swift was founded in 1973 and centred in Belgium, Swift links 11,000 banks and institutions in more than 200 countries. But Swift is not your traditional High Street bank. It is sort of an instant messaging system that notifies users when payments have been sent and arrived. Leaving Swift to the side, no countries have actually dispatched any troops to Ukraine, but why is this?

 

The Ukrainian military has been left isolated to fight Russian troops after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion onto Ukraine. Russian forces have reached the Ukrainian capital Kiev leaving a conflict for their existence in the world. Nearly 315 Ukrainians including 240 civilians have been killed so far according to the UK Government.

 

The North Atlantic treaty organisation it condemned “in the strongest possible terms” Russia’s attack on Ukraine, but it has not sent any troops to Ukraine. This is because Ukraine is not a member of the NATO alliance meaning it is not obligated to launch an armed attack against Russia to protect Ukraine. NATO is a military alliance including 30 countries including the UK and the US. Allies have increased the number of people in NATO countries surrounding Ukraine in recent weeks. Some countries have been supplied indirect assistance including arms, ammunition and other equipment as well as providing the country with intelligence. When President Putin declared war, he warned countries against interfering with Ukraine, saying: “If you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history.”

 

If President Putin decides to extend his attacks beyond Russia and into a neighbouring state, such as Latvia, Lithuania, or Estonia, then the UK would be bound to go to war with Russia. Speaking at NATO’s headquarters, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “NATO’s core task is to protect and defend all allies.

If Russia was to invade a NATO state article 5 – the collective defence commitment – would be activated, meaning NATO send troops to defend the country against Russia. British troops have been sent to reinforce Ukraine’s borders in case Moscow decides to invade further. Around 900 UK troops are stationed in Estonia under Operation Cabrit, the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic states. An additional battlegroup of 850 troops has also begun deploying to Estonia over the past week, and 350 Royal Marines have been sent to Poland to reinforce the light cavalry squadron stationed there. 1,000 more British troops are on stand-by to deal with the exodus of people from Ukraine following the invasion.