The West may soon be forced to stop thinking of its participation in Ukraine as a “special logistical operation”
Imagine if several American cities were being bombed by Chinese missiles, with Chinese navigational data guiding them, even if the missiles weren’t directly fired by Chinese forces. They were, however, provided with the explicit goal of hitting specific targets. Would it be justified to say that China was at war with the United States? It is hard to imagine any leader in Washington concluding otherwise.
This raises a critical point: why, then, does the West continue to consider its participation in the war in Ukraine as merely a “special logistical operation”? The British and American governments, while contemplating the authorization of Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory using missiles supplied by the West, still claim that they are not at war with Russia. Keir Starmer, the UK opposition leader, recently reiterated, “We don’t seek any conflict with Russia, that’s not our intention in the slightest.”
This approach raises questions about the geopolitical ambiguity at play. Western powers seem hesitant to confront the reality of their escalating involvement in the conflict, as they continue to insist on a narrative that avoids framing their actions as direct engagement in a war with Russia. But as the war progresses, such rhetoric increasingly seems untenable.
The reality is that by providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry capable of striking Russian territory, Western nations are edging closer to direct involvement in the conflict. Their logistical and military support, no longer limited to indirect assistance, is becoming more integrated into the battlefield.
At what point does the line blur between support and direct participation? This is the crucial question that will likely define the next phase of the war. If the West continues to provide weapons and intelligence support for Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil, the question of war may no longer be one of intention but of definition.
In light of this, Western leaders may soon be forced to confront the uncomfortable reality of their role in the war. The argument that they are not involved in the conflict may soon be exposed as a strategic fiction. As the West’s involvement deepens, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the illusion of a passive role.
The West’s next move will be pivotal in determining whether the conflict remains a proxy war or escalates into direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. What happens in the coming months will likely set the course for the future of the international order.