Opinion | West’s arming of Ukraine threatens to fuel endless cycle of violence and bloodshed in Europe and beyond
- The possibility that weapons earmarked for Ukraine could be diverted and wind up on the black market in the hands of criminals and terrorists cannot be ignored
- There is a dire need for the international community to find a political, negotiated solution to end the conflict before things spiral out of control
A critical question is whether we need weapons because we have conflicts and wars, or whether we need conflicts because we make, buy and sell weapons. We should also ask what the chances are that these arms and weapons could fall into the wrong hands.
Clearly, any large-scale influx of weapons into conflict-affected areas raises concerns for peace and stability. Recent conflicts, including in Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia and Afghanistan, have seen massive transfers of weapons. There are concerns that these arms could fall into the wrong hands, such as criminal gangs or terrorist groups.
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This weapons transfer has raised security concerns among some leaders. Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s high representative for disarmament affairs, told the Security Council in a briefing that a significant influx of weapons into conflict-hit regions raised questions about their potential diversion.