Ukraine will be the West’s last chance to stop Putin warns senior General

The war in Ukraine is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a geopolitical challenge that could reshape the world order, according to a former British military commander. General Sir Richard Barrons, who led the UK’s Joint Forces Command from 2013 to 2016, spoke to Times Radio’s Frontline podcast about the implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the role of the West in supporting the Ukrainian resistance.

Barrons warned that if Russia succeeds in conquering Ukraine, it will send a dangerous message to the rest of the world that might is right, and that regional powers can use force to change borders and annex territories. He said that this would embolden China to pursue its own expansionist ambitions in Asia, and undermine the credibility of the US and its allies as global leaders and defenders of democracy.

Barrons also said that Russia has prepared its economy and society for a long war in Ukraine, and that it has the advantage of proximity, speed, and surprise. He said that the West needs to match Russia’s resolve and commitment, and provide Ukraine with the necessary military, economic, and diplomatic support to resist the Russian aggression. He said that the West should not be afraid of confronting Russia, and that it should use all the tools at its disposal, including sanctions, cyber operations, and covert actions, to deter and disrupt the Russian war machine.

Barrons argued that 2024 will be the last chance to stop Putin from establishing a new world order based on coercion and violence, and that the fate of Ukraine will determine the future of Europe and beyond. He urged the West to stand by Ukraine and show solidarity and unity in the face of the Russian threat. He said that the war in Ukraine is not only about defending a sovereign nation, but also about defending the values and principles that the West stands for.