North Korea is in Europe

President Biden, Sir Keir Starmer and other NATO leaders are meeting in Germany today with the power to decide the fate of Ukraine, and therefore Europe, for perhaps the next decade.

At this critical juncture, there are three possible outcomes to this war. In the worst case scenario, Russia would gain the upper hand, which in my opinion would effectively lead to a war with NATO, with Britain likely to be on the front line despite our undermanned and neglected army. The best scenario would be a ceasefire on Ukrainian terms, with Russia handing over all illegally occupied territory and Ukraine returning to its 2014 borders. However, achieving this requires NATO’s full commitment and support for the Zelensky plan.

The third and most likely outcome if Zelensky’s plan is watered down or ignored is a ceasefire on Russian terms, meaning that the territories illegally occupied by Russia would be recognized as Russian. This and the terrible suffering of the people in these regions would not bring lasting peace to Europe. In fact, in their view, Ukraine could make good on a necessary threat to become a nuclear power again, increasing the risk of a future nuclear conflict.

Western leaders, particularly Starmer, appear to have lost interest in Ukraine. I believe he is receiving bad advice from politically motivated SPADs and spin doctors who do not understand the military and strategic consequences of Russian success. Frankly, he could continue to fail on issues like illegal immigration or taxation of the economy, but if we fight a tyrant again in Europe, he will cast a shadow over this country for generations. No short-term domestic victories can outweigh the potential catastrophe of war with Russia. Surely, Prime Minister, you understand that?

President Zelensky’s victory plan makes sense, and if NATO had fully supported its principles before the invasion on February 24, 2022, Putin may not have attacked Ukraine. What is the point of NATO if it cannot protect Europe from Russian aggression? Doesn’t Ukraine belong much more to Europe than to Russia?

So what are the key elements of Zelensky’s victory plan? First, Ukraine’s integration into NATO is essential to ensuring long-term peace. In this case, Russia would never dare to attack Europe. Ukraine serves as both a physical and psychological cornerstone of NATO’s security against Russia and would signal strength to China and other strategic threats. Even a combined force of Russia and China would be no match for this expanded NATO, assuming the US remains its foundation – without America, the balance shifts towards the enemy.

Secondly, not allowing Ukraine to use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russia is absurd. I speak as a military strategist and not as a political spin doctor – that is obvious. Putin’s war machine could be crippled if he is unable to use airfields within 200 miles of Ukraine’s borders to launch attacks on hospitals, schools and civilian infrastructure. Surely someone in Downing Street understands this and can explain it clearly to the Prime Minister?

Putin’s nuclear threats are a chimera and should be treated as such. However, its chemical weapons pose a greater threat, and it is already using low-grade chemical warfare agents on an industrial scale. If he were to use Novichok as he did in Salisbury, the consequences could be more devastating than a tactical nuclear strike. However, I have not heard any deterrent threats from the West in response.

Australia is now the only country to make a bold gesture and donate 50 Leopard 1 tanks from storage. We now have at least 100 Challenger 2 tanks gathering dust in depots, which the Ukrainian army would happily accept. This would be a powerful demonstration of strength and solidarity. We know that Putin only respects strength and ruthlessly exploits weakness.

Failure to fully support Zelensky’s plan will only embolden Putin, who sees most Western leaders as woke, weak and incapable of making bold decisions – and unfortunately, he is probably right.

The fact that North Korea is sending 12,000 troops to Ukraine to fight for Russia suggests that Putin is desperate. Since there are fewer and fewer conscripts in Russia, he would rather send North Koreans to the meat grinder than the sons of the Moscow and St. Petersburg elites. Undoubtedly, Russia provides North Korea with nuclear technology in return, posing a serious threat to stability in the Far East. Russia is also likely helping Iran with nuclear technology in exchange for missiles. Putin is vulnerable if we are brave enough to act – are NATO leaders paying attention?

With Putin’s apparent ally Donald Trump eyeing a return to the White House, now is the time to fully support Zelensky’s plan – or prepare for war with Russia within the next year or so, possibly without US support .

Starmer should seriously think about this. Will he be Chamberlain or Churchill?