Explaining complex things in simple words: Olympic truce, fire control over enemy’s rear, restraining aggressors

OLYMPIC TRUCE

UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a call to the parties to the Russian-Ukrainian war for a truce during the Summer Olympics in Paris from July 26 to August 11. French President Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis have previously made similar appeals.

 The Olympic truce is a beautiful and ancient tradition that dates back to ancient times. In 1993, the UN General Assembly recommended that a truce be observed for the period starting 7 days before the opening and ending 7 days after the closing of each Olympic Games.

 Ukraine respects Olympic traditions. Moreover, our country has never attacked anyone.

 Modern Russia has repeatedly resorted to aggression during or shortly after the Olympic Games: an attack on Georgia during the opening of the Summer Games in Beijing in 2008; aggression against Ukraine during the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014; a full-scale invasion shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

 Moscow did not think to observe the Olympic truce in 2024. For several weeks now, Russian troops have been trying hard to break through Ukrainian defences, attacking Ukrainian cities with bombs and missiles.

 The Olympic truce is not one-sided. Ukraine is forced to defend itself, despite the desire for peace and respect for the Olympic principles.

FIRE CONTROL OVER THE ENEMY’S REAR

 The aggressor should not feel safe anywhere. All legitimate military targets must be within the reach of Ukrainian weapons.

 Ukrainian air and sea drones operations proved the impressive effectiveness of strikes in the enemy's rear.

 The issue of cancelling bans on long-range strikes by Western weapons against the Russian rear is not just relevant, it is urgent.

 Ukraine should have the right to destroy Russian airfields from which warplanes attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

 At the same time, the Defence industry of Ukraine is actively working on its own missile program to reduce dependence on the partners’ help.

RESTRAINING THE AGGRESSOR

Bundeswehr Inspector Genera,l Carsten Breuer, said that in 5–8 years, Russian troops will be sufficiently equipped for aggression against NATO.

 The Russian Federation clearly perceives NATO as an enemy and a potential military adversary. For years, Russian propaganda has been programming the hostility of its population towards the West as well as towards Ukraine.

 After 2022, Russia has gained experience in waging a modern full-scale aggressive war with a commensurate enemy. None of the NATO countries has such experience.

 Russia will indeed pose a military threat to NATO, but only if it achieves its goals in the war against Ukraine.

 It is possible to stop Russian aggression and nullify its military potential here in Ukraine. And for this, the West does not need to fight, it is enough only to provide the necessary amount of military support for the victory of Ukraine in a timely manner.

 Ukraine aspires to be a part of the Euro-Atlantic community and is ready to strengthen it with its potential gained from the experience of the war with Russia and considering its geographical position on the frontier of Eurasia

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security