As I reflect on the Ukraine, Russia issue of the last several months it amazes me how the power of one person can disrupt so many lives. President Putin of Russia claims there is no intention of war with Ukraine, however, his actions contradict his words.
The world became aware of the ninety thousand troops amassed at the Ukraine Russia border several months ago. Ukraine has applied to become a NATO member nation and Russia stated that Ukraine should not become part of NATO. Russia does not want NATO at its border. It also wants the ability to use Ukrainian pipelines to supply Europe with gas. Germany is a primary user of Russian supplied gas.
Ukraine supplies “highly purified neon gas, which is necessary for the lasers that are used to etch circuit designs into silicon wafers to create chips.” https://fortune.com/2022/02/14/russia-ukraine-semiconductor-shortage/ Many industries are dependent on these chips for the products they create. Lack of chips would affect the computer, and smartphone industries. Appliances used routinely have semiconductors as do automobiles. If Russia were to invade Ukraine and win, they would control a significant portion of materials needed to create semiconductors.
Russia listed its demands and NATO has not acquiesced. NATO members are prepared to defend Ukraine should they be invaded. The United States has sent weapons to Ukraine for their defense but will not supply troops.
At this point there is a diplomatic stale mate. Russia has stated that they have withdrawn some troops. Yet this morning February 18, 2022, Yahoo News is reporting that up to one hundred ninety thousand Russian troops are at Ukraine’s border. While Ukraine is downplaying the threat of an invasion the United States remains adamant that an invasion is imminent.
In recent weeks Russia has conducted naval exercises. “Trilateral naval exercise … Russia, Iran and China began a trilateral naval exercise in an area encompassing 17,000 square km (6,560 square miles) north of the Indian Ocean.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/21/russia-to-flex-muscles-with-navy-drills-involving-all-its-fleets
“21 Jan 2022, Russia has announced its navy will stage a sweeping set of exercises from the Pacific to the Atlantic involving all its fleets – the latest show of strength in a surge of military activity during a standoff with the West.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/21/russia-to-flex-muscles-with-navy-drills-involving-all-its-fleets
“18 Feb 2022 Updated: 4 hours ago, Russia says President Vladimir Putin will personally oversee military drills involving “strategic forces” on Saturday, at a time of soaring tensions at the country’s border with Ukraine.
The defence ministry said the exercise will include multiple practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The air force, units of the southern military district, as well as the Northern and Black Sea fleets would be involved in the huge nuclear drills.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/18/putin-to-oversee-massive-nuclear-drills-amid-ukraine-tensions The North Sea is near England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium. The Black Sea is near Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia.
On Tuesday February 15, two thousand U.S. troops started their migration toward Slovakia for NATO drills which are to commence the first two weeks of March. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-02-15/u-s-troops-heading-from-germany-to-slovakia-for-planned-nato-drills
For the President of Russia to state that the country has no intention of going to war, the military action it is taking certainly does not bode for peace. These actions are playing havoc with stock markets around the world. “Nervous investors, spooked by a Russian-Ukraine conflict, barreled into gold on Thursday, driving the price to a level not seen since June of 2021: $1,900.70 and upward momentum may continue, aiding the SPDR Gold ETF.” https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/gold-spikes-to-nine-month-high-russia-ukraine-inflation
“Global stock markets have dropped amid alarm over rising tensions between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine.
New York, the Dow Jones dropped 1.8%, the S&P 500 slid by more than 2% and the Nasdaq closed nearly 3% lower. … In Asia trade on Friday, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down by 1.8%, while Japan's Nikkei was 0.4% lower.” https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60425727
Perhaps President Putin’s intention has been to divert President Biden and the U. S. military from his actual game plan. He would have a great laugh after all the hype on the U. S. side, in spite his constant denial, if he simply withdrew the troops. By having discredited the U.S. assessment of his intentions with Ukraine any further moves on Russia’s part with other partners in the world would be taken far less seriously. China and Russia combined would be a formidable enemy. They are both in a power play for dominance in the world. If he has been playing mind games with NATO, he has been able to disrupt nations’ economies. Stock exchanges have reacted with fear at the threat of a war. That is a victory for him. Fear for dictators is a great tool to control people and events.
No matter how this plays out, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version God is still in control.
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