Biden Approves Ukraine's Use of anti-personnel Mines and Putin Lowers the Threshold for Nuclear War: A New Turn in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In recent days, US President Joe Biden has approved the provision of lethal anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, a decision that has drawn widespread attention from the international community. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear war by approving an updated nuclear doctrine. These two events not only mark the further escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but also signal an intensifying tense international situation.

The approval by the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with lethal anti-personnel mines is another major policy shift in the Ukraine crisis. Previously, the US had been cautious about providing such weapons to Ukraine, fearing they might cause lasting harm to civilians. However, as the conflict has continued, the US seems to be looking for new ways to support Ukraine. Pentagon officials have confirmed that the US wants Ukraine to use these mines to strengthen its defenses and slow down Russia's advance in the eastern part of the country.

It is worth noting that the mines provided by the US are "non-persistent mines," which means they have an internal mechanism to shorten their lifespan, usually ranging from four hours to two weeks, depending on a fixed time. US officials have stated that this design is intended to reduce accidental harm to civilians and troops. However, even non-persistent mines pose safety risks, and clearance work is extremely complex. Human rights organizations have long criticized the use of lethal anti-personnel mines, as they indiscriminately kill people and can remain in a state of activation for years after a conflict, potentially causing harm to civilians.

The Biden administration's decision is clearly the result of a weighing of the pros and cons. On the one hand, the US wants to strengthen Ukraine's defenses by providing mines, helping Ukraine gain more advantages in the conflict. On the other hand, the US is also aware of the risks posed by mines, and therefore chose relatively "safe" non-persistent mines. However, the decision has still sparked widespread controversy and criticism internationally.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin also took tough measures to lower the threshold for nuclear war. Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine that expanded the scope of nuclear strikes. This move was seen as a response to changes in Western aid to Ukraine and a warning to Ukraine and the Western countries behind it.

The intentions of Putin's move are quite clear. On the one hand, he wants to warn Ukraine not to continue challenging Russia's bottom line by lowering the threshold for nuclear war. On the other hand, he is also reminding the incoming Trump administration that if it does not properly restrain Ukraine, Russia will not sit idly by. Putin's move not only showcased Russia's tough stance but also intensified the tense international situation.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for a long time, and it has lasted longer than many people expected. Western aid has played an important role, but the gap in military strength between the two sides is still there. Even if Ukraine is allowed to use long-range weapons freely, Russia has vast territories and strong military strength, and can easily move its equipment out of the range of the weapons. Therefore, Ukraine's use of long-range weapons to attack Russia's territory cannot fundamentally turn the tide.

Biden's and Putin's two decisions have undoubtedly pushed the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a new peak. The Biden administration hopes to strengthen Ukraine's defenses by providing landmines, while Putin is showing Russia's tough stance by lowering the threshold for nuclear war. These decisions not only intensified the tension between Russia and Ukraine but also sparked widespread concern and worry in the international community.

However, it should be noted that war is not the best way to solve problems. Both Ukraine and Russia should resolve their disputes through peaceful negotiations. The international community should also play a positive role in pushing the two sides to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation. Only in this way can we avoid more bloodshed and sacrifices and achieve regional peace and stability.

Furthermore, Biden and Putin's two decisions also remind us of the complexity and uncertainty of international affairs. In the current era of globalization and informationization, the connections and interactions between countries are becoming increasingly close. The decision made by any one country can have far-reaching impacts on other countries. Therefore, countries should be more cautious and rational in making decisions and fully consider various factors and influences.