The recent article in TIME magazine that highlights doubts surrounding Ukraine was not a surprise to those who have been closely involved in the country’s issues. Ukrainian experts, journalists, and volunteers have long been aware of these problems and have been trying to draw attention to them. However, the official reaction has often been to dismiss their concerns as exaggerated or inconsistent.
The article in TIME merely confirms what many already knew – that the problems in Ukraine can no longer be ignored and that valuable time has been lost in addressing them. The problems range from issues with mobilization to the ongoing fight against corruption.
The countdown for addressing these issues began to tick in late April and early May when doubts about the success of a Ukrainian offensive started to emerge. Strange announcements and the discovery that the Russian defense was a formidable obstacle raised concerns about the operation’s feasibility. Delayed coordination and supply arrangements gave the enemy time to strengthen their positions.
Now, instead of focusing on finding solutions, the blame game has started. Ukrainian officials are quick to point fingers at their Western partners, but this is not a constructive approach. It is important to acknowledge their help before assigning blame. Unfortunately, there are no formal obligations to hold them accountable. The search for blame has also begun within the country, with the investigation into who betrayed the south of Ukraine. While this investigation may have merit, it is not the right time for it, especially if there are signs of political interference.
The danger lies in shifting all responsibility to the military. While their decisions may have been flawed, they should not be the primary target for blame. The responsibility lies with politicians who set strategic priorities and determine the timeliness of mobilization. Politicians should remember that democratic countries have civilian democratic control, meaning the military is subordinate to civilian political leadership.
Attempts to shift blame may be driven by political instincts, but they can lead to political collapse if they are misguided. The recent TIME article serves as a wake-up call, not because it reveals anything new, but because it is an acknowledgement of the issues that have already been discussed. Its publication suggests that the efforts to hide these problems have failed. Unfortunately, it is too late to convince anyone of the truth if there were any exaggerations or distortions of facts.
The article was likely prepared in advance, waiting for the right moment of publication, possibly to serve a particular group of policymakers. It provides arguments for their position on supporting or not supporting Ukraine. Now is the time for Ukraine to reassess its strategy, analyze the results of the recent campaigns, and plan the next steps to achieve the strategic goals of the war.
In conclusion, the TIME article highlights the known issues in Ukraine and raises expectations for further support from international partners. It is now up to Ukraine to address these problems and adjust its strategy for the future.
