The Truth About the Ukraine-Russia War: It’s Not What You Think
Currently, we have a large majority that supports the continuation of the war between Russia and Ukraine, portraying Ukraine as a democratic nation and a bastion of virtues that must be defended at all costs because it represents the West and democracy. Unfortunately, this is not true, and it never has been. It’s a perception created to sustain a war where billions are distributed without control.
Ukraine: A Hotbed of Corruption
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index has consistently ranked Ukraine poorly, highlighting widespread corruption in its political and economic systems.
Ukraine has a score of 36 in 2023, with a change of 3 since last year, meaning it ranks 104 out of 180 countries.
For many years, Ukraine has been considered one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, particularly its political class. This was at a time when there were institutions and some mechanisms of control over the political class. Now that all these checks and balances have disappeared, what do you think happens when billions and billions of euros flow in without any control?
Billions Adrift in a Sea of Corruption
Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, Ukraine has received substantial financial, military, and humanitarian aid from various international sources. The United States has provided around $113.4 billion in aid, including military, economic, and humanitarian assistance (Council on Foreign Relations, CSIS). This includes direct budget support, weapons, training, and other forms of aid.
The European Union and its member states have collectively committed over $110 billion, with additional commitments bringing the total to over $155 billion. This support includes financial assistance, military aid, and humanitarian efforts (EEAS).
Overall, international aid to Ukraine has exceeded $175 billion when combining contributions from the U.S., EU, and other global partners (Council on Foreign Relations, Kiel Institute, EEAS).
There are various organizations responsible for assessing expenditures and where the aid money is spent, but despite all the monitoring bodies and control processes, it’s very easy to justify expenses in a war scenario.
It’s possible to access a tracker of contributions to the Ukraine war and get an overview of how much money this war absorbs and the opportunities it creates for the war economy, especially for arms-exporting countries.
The War Industry
Like any other industry, the war industry thrives when there is demand for its products. It has no interest in peace; the arms industry needs war to sell its products. It’s simple economics.
What’s happening with the Ukraine war is that donor countries often expect the recipient to buy arms from the donor country.
When European countries provide military aid to Ukraine, they do not universally mandate that arms purchases be made exclusively from their own industries. However, there are instances where conditions attached to the aid might favor the procurement of arms and military equipment from the donor countries' defense industries. This practice is not uncommon in international military aid agreements, as it helps to support the donor countries' economies and ensures compatibility with existing systems.
Specific Cases and Mechanisms:
European Peace Facility (EPF):
The EPF funds military aid from the EU to Ukraine and allows member states to be reimbursed for the arms and equipment they provide, indirectly supporting their own defense industries.
领英推荐
National Aid Programs:
Countries like Germany and France, which have provided significant military aid to Ukraine, have a vested interest in supporting their domestic defense sectors.
Procurement Practices:
There is often an expectation that aid-receiving countries will procure some of their equipment from the donor countries, especially when the aid includes financial support rather than direct equipment transfers.
International Support and Cooperation:
Aid packages from the EU and NATO often come with training and logistical support, influencing procurement decisions and ensuring interoperability.
The War in Ukraine is to Continue and It's Not for Ukraine's Defense
It's important to understand that in the case of Europe, an economy in decline since the 1980s, this war brings a series of opportunities for elites and the political class. Firstly, it allows for the creation and expansion of the war industry, which can contribute some results to the economy. This happens with the general approval of the population, who unite against a villain (Putin) and do not contest the considerable increase in war investment.
War is always an important distraction from what's going wrong in Europe—a continent with poor economic performance and lagging in all areas of innovation. A bloc governed by elites who place puppets in unelected positions within Europe. If we look closely, all positions, from the European Commission to the European Council, are currently filled by figures favorable to war and its escalation, which opens the door to more aid and more billions sent to the most corrupt country in Europe.
In the midst of this process, it would not be surprising if numerous figures benefit, whether through the war lobby, inflated contracts, or other types of pure corruption.
Governments always aim to collect as much money as possible from taxpayers, and they always look for ways that generate the least resistance. War in defense of democracy is a great scapegoat for another raid on the European economy that has been deteriorating since the 1980s.
The war in Ukraine is not about democracy because Ukraine never had much of it—a country where its military force is led by a neo-Nazi group, the Azov Battalion.
The Azov Battalion
Origins and Structure
Support for Azov: Despite the controversies, the Ukrainian government has continued to support Azov, recognizing its effectiveness in combat and the dedication of its members. However, this support remains a point of contention due to the group's history and allegations of extremism (Kiel Institute, CSIS).
The Azov Regiment remains a key component of Ukraine's defense efforts in the ongoing war, receiving both government funding and private support. While their effectiveness in combat is widely recognized, their controversial history and associations continue to provoke debate and scrutiny.
In War, There Are No Winners
As in other wars, there are no winners, but there are those who benefit greatly from escalating and maintaining a conflict. The EU's response serves interests; it’s not for the good of Ukrainian or European citizens. Nobody governs with that in mind. Governments are always games of power and interests, and the war in Ukraine is no exception. The focus for the good of all should be negotiation and peace.
Founder, CEO & CTO at Betarena
4 个月A few hours after the election, the money grabber intensifies.
Founder, CEO & CTO at Betarena
4 个月When the media told the truth.
Founder, CEO & CTO at Betarena
4 个月Now look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it You play the guitar on the MTV That ain't workin', that's the way you do it Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Founder, CEO & CTO at Betarena
4 个月The war business: https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-241-eif-and-nato-innovation-fund-join-forces-to-unlock-private-capital-for-europe-s-defence-and-security-future
Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst
4 个月How does Russia fare in those same measures of corruption? Well it is ranked 141 out of 180 and is falling each year, unlike Ukraine which is improving. But some kind of simplistic view of the level of corruption being reason enough to support a countries invasion and violation of sovereignty is ridiculous. Likewise pointing out that countries will benefit economically from such engagement, without mentioning Russia’s similar incentives, is hardly balanced. The simple fact that you failed to mention Russia and Putin more than once in an article supposedly giving the real reasons for the Russo-Ukraine War is quite telling.