Ukrainian War: noises and silences | International

“We know that war passes through silence and not through the roar of bombs.” This is how the impressive documentary begins 20 days in Mariupol, produced by the AP agency’s team of TV correspondents, who informed the whole world of the siege of Russian troops against this strategic city, an important port enclave. The siege began on February 24, 2022, the first day of the Russian invasion, and ended three months later on May 20. The team of reporters, led by Mstyslav Chernov, tells about the silence and the bombs; deaths and lives saved in hospital; hope and despair. Next Sunday we will find out if an Oscar is added to the long list of worthy awards.

Mariupol is an example, like so many others, of impossible, even useless, resistance. Thousands of people died, but many saved their lives thanks to the heroic actions of doctors, fellow citizens and poorly prepared Ukrainian soldiers… But Mariupol could not be saved.

From that moment on, the characters describe a terrifying panorama. A fifth of occupied Ukrainian territory, 70,000 Russian soldiers dead, 250,000 wounded; 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers dead, more than 10,000 civilians dead and several hundred thousand injured. And millions of refugees and internally displaced people. The vigor of the Ukrainian population, encouraged by a courageous president and with decisive support from the West, although slow to get going, has made 2022 a year not only of effective resistance, but also of resistance to an outdated Russian army and poorly ordered.

The second year of war, 2023, did not follow the same pattern. Contrary to what was planned in kyiv, the land front stopped. It becomes more and more difficult to move it. Lacking adequate weapons, from artillery to missiles, to maintain their positions, Ukrainian troops are more dependent than ever on risky sabotage or raids behind enemy lines. The only exception is the Black Sea, where Ukraine has managed to decimate the Russian fleet and maintain a maritime export flow of its valuable grains, with remarkable security.

It is in this context that two unwanted and noisy setbacks appear. First, abnormal American politics, infected by a pre-election campaign whose outcome, in November, could decide the winner of a war taking place thousands of miles from Washington. It is essential to act quickly. This is why the American Congress’s refusal of promised military aid is incomprehensible and totally counterproductive. Decisive help to strengthen weak defenses and be able to recover, perhaps, the occupied territory.

The second resounding setback emerged in Europe that same week. Not excluding the presence of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine cannot be an improvisation or a slip of the tongue on the part of a president, Macron, who, although accustomed to trying to monopolize the spotlight, has shown intelligence and of experience. And none of them agree with his comments. So why is there a risk that all European leaders, starting with the German Chancellor, will rush to deny him, thus weakening European unity? Without a doubt, sending Western soldiers to Ukraine constitutes a red line that Europe cannot and should not consider.

Neither of the two errors, the one that comes from the grotesque American Congress and the one that emerges from the Elysée, leads to the essential: a deep, silent and discreet reflection on the next steps. We must deliver the promised weapons, strengthen defenses, take territories from Russia (very difficult, since every square centimeter is mined) so that 2024, the third year of the war, will be the year of coordinated and serious work to reach an agreement, at least a ceasefire, from positions of strength. This, if the Ukrainians wish it and believe that it is the best way to end the silence of the war.

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