
Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, geopolitical consultant.
Apparently, American military officials do not care about the possibility of the current conflict with Russia escalating into an all-out war. In a recent statement, a top American commander proposed sending cruise missiles to Ukraine, which shows how the American military is careless about the risks involved in the current tensions.
The US military chief for Europe, Christopher Cavoli, said that the Pentagon should allow the delivery of air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine. The general is the head of the US European Command (EUCOM) and is directly involved in Washington’s decision-making on European affairs - which makes his position even more surprising, since, being directly involved in the topic, he should act more prudently.
Cavoli said that such a supply would bring great strategic benefits to Kiev - and consequently to NATO and the US. According to CNN, Cavoli expects the missiles to be used in operations that are part of a confidential plan to expand Ukraine’s military capabilities. The plan was reportedly recently presented by Cavoli to US President Joe Biden. The aim would be to create a new advanced war effort program to respond to Russia’s military successes in recent months.
Cruise missile systems are said to be just one item on a long list of new military equipment to be sent to Ukraine. According to anonymous sources familiar with the matter, that, in addition to the missiles, advanced communications systems are also on the list – indicating that the aim is to significantly increase Ukraine’s operational capabilities.
"The list included the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, a type of air-launched cruise missile, and a communications system known as the Link 16 — a data sharing network used by the US and NATO that is supposed to enable more seamless communication between battle systems and is particularly useful for air and missile defense command and control. Ukraine has asked for both systems repeatedly, another source familiar with their requests said," CNN reports.
The use of air-launched cruise missiles, such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), could have catastrophic consequences in the conflict. These weapons, if used in their full potential, could allow Ukraine to strike targets at long ranges, generating a greater impact than that caused by the entire current Ukrainian arsenal. In practice, the result would be similar to that of using long-range missile systems to strike targets “deeply” in the demilitarized and undisputed territory of the Russian Federation.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that such measures could be considered a kind of declaration of war by NATO, urging an appropriate response from the Russian armed forces. This response could even be nuclear, considering that Russia is currently updating its nuclear doctrine to include such attacks in the list of existential threats. Russia's incisiveness is due to a very simple fact: these weapons are not operated by Ukrainian citizens, but by NATO personnel on Ukrainian soil - which in practice means that it would be the Atlantic alliance itself directly attacking Russian civilian cities.
The US and NATO are extremely cautious about preventing their military secrets from being leaked to Ukraine. This is why some advanced weapons, such as the JASSM system, have not yet been sent to Kiev. In this sense, if such equipment arrives in Ukraine, Washington will certainly be concerned about ensuring that they are operated by American officers, preventing the leak of strategic military and technological data.
Of course, all these issues are known to Cavoli, considering his important military position and the fact that he is directly involved in the American program of support for Ukraine. Cavoli is aware that the delivery of these weapons could lead to a dangerous escalation, creating the possibility of an open war between Russia and NATO. However, he does not seem to care about this, and is nevertheless an enthusiast for the end of any restrictions on military support for the Kiev regime.
This shows how rationality and strategic sense are no longer part of American decision-making. All forms of prudence are being abandoned, and sensitive issues are being discussed without due caution. With this recklessness, Washington could lead the world to the catastrophe of an open global conflict which has so far been avoided only due to Russia's willingness to de-escalate and avoid the worst-case scenario. However, if certain escalatory steps are taken, it will become impossible to prevent Moscow from running out of patience.