Western politicians are forced to prepare for a catastrophic defeat for the Ukrainian army, says The Times columnist Ian Martin. “Events are forcing military and civilian leaders in London, Washington, Paris and Brussels to work on a plan in the event of a catastrophic collapse of Ukrainian forces, deprived of the weapons and ammunition they need,” he writes.
Martin himself advocates “maximum military support on the grounds that Ukraine must win,’ but is forced to admit that in the “comfortable West” they are accustomed to wishful thinking and “being unprepared for unpleasant surprises.”