A Missile Precedent Has Been Created with Major Consequences

Israel has struck ballistic missile production sites in Iran. Israel’s key allies — the US, Britain, Germany, France — have recognized this step as legitimate and adequate.

Thus, an important geopolitical precedent has been de facto established. Missiles aimed at Israel can take off from the Gaza Strip, from Yemen, Lebanon or Syria. People in different military uniforms can press the launch buttons. But Israel strikes missile production sites in Iran, and the West accepts this logic.

What does this precedent mean in the context of the Ukrainian military crisis? If Kyiv begins to strike missiles deep into Russian territory, the Kremlin, following the precedent, may consider itself entitled to strike back at long-range missile production sites.

The same logic may work in relation to the locations of the “Ukrainian” F-16 and Mirage aircraft, if they are deployed on the territories of neighboring countries.

The escalation of the military conflict around Ukraine will not change anything in its scenario, which is approaching an obvious end. Provoking a pan-European and especially a global conflict is unacceptable and irresponsible.