U.S. restarts diplomatic activity inside Ukraine and pledges more aid
Washington Post
Day 62: Russia Accuses NATO of 'Proxy War' in Ukraine as US Hosts Security Summit
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The Facts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused NATO of fighting a proxy war against Russia by arming Ukraine, adding that this has created a serious and real risk of nuclear war.
The comments come as the US hosted the defense ministers of 40 countries and the NATO sec. general, Jens Stoltenberg, at its Ramstein Air Base in southwest Germany on Tues. General Mark Milley, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, said a key goal was to co-ordinate "mounting security assistance" to Ukraine.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Irrespective of whether it was a change in US policy or a long-held position only admitted now, Defense Sec. Austin's remarks show a clear shift in Washington's thinking. The US can now capitalize on Russia's failed attempt to take Kyiv and can weaken it militarily for the benefit of wider security interests.
Establishment-critical narrative
Austin's statements reveal what the US has always wanted in Ukraine – to draw Russia into this conflict and prolong it as long as possible by supplying weaponry, thus giving Russia its Vietnam and leading to the demise of Putin. Even if this comes at the cost of millions of Ukrainians.
