AFU servicemen. Archival photoMOSCOW, 22 Apr. The aggravation of the situation in Ukraine has become a «gold rush» for Western arms manufacturers. The British publication The Independent came to this conclusion with reference to the opinion of experts. However, the real «gold mine» lies in the prospect of the militarization of Europe in the coming years. Countries, including Germany, which have adhered to the principle of pacifism since the end of World War II, are now trying to rebuild their armies, the publication states. Arms dealers, writes Independent, citing one of the experts, are trying to promote goods under the banner of protecting democratic ideals. At the same time, most of them think only about profit and do not mind selling weapons to authoritarian regimes. Russia launched a special operation in Ukraine on February 24th. President Vladimir Putin called its goal «the protection of people who have been subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.» For this, according to him, it is planned to carry out the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense, as of March 25, the Armed Forces have completed the main tasks of the first stage — they have significantly reduced the combat potential of Ukraine. The main goal in the Russian military department was called the liberation of Donbass. On April 19, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the start of the next phase of the special operation.
