As the war initiated by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine enters its second week, the fierce resistance being offered by Ukraine’s armed forces and citizenry is exceeding all expectations. Putin apparently thought he could waltz into Ukraine and take over an unresisting country within hours. He even sent a company of riot police in with his first wave to suppress the kind of opposition expected from Moscow peace demonstrators. Instead, he has found himself in a slugging match against a people who can take whatever he can throw and dish it out right back. As for the riot police, they are unlikely to be heard from again.
Yet despite the courage and determination displayed by Ukrainians fighting for their national existence, they remain dangerously outgunned. NATO nations are now belatedly trying to ship vital anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine in quantity. But the shipments, which must come now in by truck, are exposed to destruction by Russian jets that now rule the skies over Ukraine. If these shipments cannot make it to the frontline troops, Ukraine will lose.
Can the West allow that to happen? I think not.
