NATO officially backs Ukraine, but German writer cast doubts

Ukraine in dark green, with Crimea in lighter green (Rob984)

The Ukrainian press reported that NATO officially is pledging support:

July 10, 2016

NATO pledges more support for Ukraine and Georgia

NATO calls on Russia to use all channels of communication with the Alliance to address critical issues and challenges.

Heads of state and government of the NATO member countries have pledged more support for Ukraine and Georgia, the Alliance said in a communique issued on Saturday, July 9, at the conclusion of its two-day summit in Warsaw.

“We believe in a Europe whole, free and at peace. NATO will provide more support to Ukraine and Georgia, and continue to assist the Republic of Moldova,” the final communique said.

NATO also said the Alliance is committed to deepening its engagement with partners in the Black and Baltic Sea regions, and in the Western Balkans.

While many in Ukraine hope this means that it will become more tied to Europe than Russia, not all see this. Notice a different take on the NATO meeting from a German news source:

July 9, 2016

If NATO is rattling its saber then it’s doing it very softly. In military terms, the four battalions it has agreed to station at its eastern border are not really a threat to Russia’s much stronger forces. Moscow is unlikely to be impressed by this increase in NATO’s capabilities.

Nor is that something anyone in NATO had expected. It was much more a matter of demonstrating unity – and about showing the Baltic states, which were once occupied by the Soviet Union, and the former countries of the Soviet-forged Warsaw Pact that NATO understands their concerns.

No one at NATO seriously believes that Russia intends to attack current NATO countries or to launch hybrid attacks against them as it did with its “little green men” in Ukraine. NATO’s reading of Russian President Vladimir Putin is that he’s after something else. He wants to secure Russian influence in Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Armenia. …

NATO’s Warsaw summit has set the tone for mutual interactions that are firmly grounded in realpolitik. But there are losers from NATO’s dual strategy of gentle saber rattling and dialogue: Ukraine and Georgia. They have to get used to the fact that Russia will long remain a thorn in their side and that there is nothing NATO can – or wants – to do about it.

The right response

Putin is to be fenced in where he is now. But the return of Crimea – or a retreat from Abkhazia or Transnistria – remains an illusion. http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-nato-has-the-right-strategy-toward-russia/a-19390634

Europe and the USA have given lip service about Crimea, but Russia has no intentions of returning it to a Ukraine that is looking towards NATO. NATO is not going to go to war against Russia for Crimea (Ukraine is not a member of NATO).

Russia wants to have nations on its western border to be allies of Russia, not allies of the USA. Russia has a lot of influence in Moldova and still has influence in Georgia (though it is relatively more popular with those who live in Moldova than those who live in Georgia).

So what is ahead for Ukraine?

As I have written before, that is a bit tricky.

While Ukraine blames Russia for problems in eastern Ukraine, Russia tends to blame the Ukrainian government and NATO:

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a telephone conversation with German and French leaders Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande, has drawn attention to the provocative nature of the Ukrainian troops’ actions in southeastern Ukraine. “Vladimir Putin drew attention to the provocative nature of the actions of the Ukrainian troops in southeastern Ukraine,” the Kremlin press service reported. “In this regard, the Russian president urged his counterparts to more actively influence the Ukrainian side, including during the upcoming contacts with (Ukrainian President) Pyotr Poroshenko in Warsaw to ensure strict compliance with the Minsk agreements.”

The three leaders noted the need to intensify negotiations in various formats to ensure the full and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk accords. “(They) pointed to the viability of synchronizing efforts in the field of security and the political settlement, which includes provision of a legislative framework for a special status of Donbass on a permanent basis, Constitutional reform, amnesty and organization of local elections,” the Kremlin press service said. “They agreed to continue consultations on the Ukrainian issue at various levels.” http://tass.ru/en/politics/887115

MOSCOW, July 7. /TASS/. Russia is concerned by the redeployment towards Donbass of the Ukrainian army units trained by NATO instructors, the Russian ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, said in an interview published by Kommersant Daily.

“Assistance programs NATO is implementing in Ukraine play into the hands of the ‘party of war’ and incite the feeling of a possible military revenge among some forces in Kiev,” Grushko said. “We’re also concerned by the redeployment of units trained by NATO instructors to the line of contact in Donbass.” http://tass.ru/en/politics/886821

Prophetically, there are a couple of options here.

Various ones believe that at least some of those in Ukraine descended from the ancient Medes. According to biblical prophecy, the Medes will end up supporting a Russian led confederation in the end times (e.g. Isaiah 13:1, 17-19). However, as there are ethnic differences in Ukraine, not all are Medes. This is part of why since late 2013, I warned that some type of split could occur in Ukraine. Years earlier (2008/2009), I also discussed religious splits there as well. We have already seen Crimea become part of Russia (officially and we may ultimately see Donbass and other parts of Ukraine as part of Russia or otherwise allied with Russia.

Also, if enough get disillusioned with the Kiev government, the EU, and the USA, we may see more in Ukraine concluding that they were better off working towards closer ties to Russia than the West.

That being said, the Bible teaches that the European Beast power will expand to the south and the east. Notice:

9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:9-12).

And while the above has had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-39). The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)–which is where it initially formed. Now, approximately 500 million people are now under a new, single (though not completely united) government, called the European Union, headquartered in Brussels. As the map at the beginning of this post shows, Ukraine is mainly east of much of the EU–thus its geography is consistent with being part of the EU.

But notice also:

1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw…

17 “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them,
Who will not regard silver;
And as for gold, they will not delight in it.
18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces,
And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb;
Their eye will not spare children.
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride,
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:1, 17-19)

11 Make the arrows bright!
Gather the shields!
The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.
For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,
Because it is the vengeance of the Lord,
The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)

Biblically (because of prophecies involving the Medes, some of which are in Ukraine, and some in the “north and east” in Daniel 11:44), it would seem that Russia (a power of the “far north” Ezekiel 38:3,6) would be closer to at least parts of Ukraine (like some of the eastern portions of it) in the end, after the start of the Great Tribulation, than many realize. (There is also a YouTube video available titled Ukraine in Prophecy?)

The situation in Ukraine is still tense and more destabilization in Ukraine is likely.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? Here is a link to a video sermon titled Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy.
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a video.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? Here is a link to a related video titled Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Ukraine in Prophecy? What is happening in Ukraine? What is known and what is unsure about its future? What is the origin of those who live in Ukraine? What does the Bible teach about the role of the Medes in the end times? Will Ukraine split? Why might part of Ukraine end up in the European Union? Why might part of Ukraine end up in the Eurasian Union? Is war in the prophesied future for Ukraine? What is the ultimate destiny for nearly all Ukrainians?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a video.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 200 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, 2nd edition: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Donald Trump? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon 2nd Kindle edition This electronic version of the 200 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon 2nd Kindle edition.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.