Posted on 01/02/2023 3:13:10 AM PST by Jyotishi
OPINION
The US and Europe must be getting ready for Putin-like ambitious and aggressive statesmen in the days to come who would challenge the already ailing and aging western liberal order
The war in Ukraine is devastating and tragic. It has been ten months now. It demonstrates the strained relationship between Ukraine and Russia not only in the present, but also in the past. Russia’s claim over neighbouring Ukraine is a historic question. Nevertheless, the recent claims spearheaded by Moscow’s armed intervention on February 26 last year clearly exposed the rifts between the two nations and Putin’s agenda. We all need to grapple with the reality that Ukraine was an integral part of the former USSR till its breakdown in the year 1991.
Experts opine that the spy guy Putin has been looking for an opportunity to go to war with Ukraine to rebuild the former Russian Empire. In an age of globalisation propelled by the digital revolution, we all talk, celebrate, and claim our rights and liberties in a way that we never used to be. When big tech and other business conglomerates are encroaching upon the very sovereign rights of the contemporary nation-state, the latter is trying to guard the same jealousy. At this juncture, ever ambitious autocrats like Putin are hoping and struggling to chase sovereign rights of a neighbour. Alas! The whole world is watching it helplessly by simply offering arms and ammunition to the embattled regime of Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
When we flip the pages of recent political conflicts in Europe, we observe that Russia’s frontal war with Ukraine began in the year 2014. In that very year, in February-March, the Russian Federation under the leadership of Putin occupied Crimea, a southern peninsular area from Ukraine. For Putin, he all has the right to protect the rights of its compatriots in Crimea. Since then it has been more than eight years now Russia is at loggerheads with Ukraine, although there has not been any direct confrontation with that country unlike the one that started last year.
How is Putin managing global support for his aggressive war against Ukraine? Clearly, Putin is receiving both direct and indirect support from two big powers for this massive war — India and China — albeit in different ways. Indeed, both these nations are not exerting sufficient pressure on Putin to stop the war. Delhi is either abstaining or refusing to vote on the sanction imposed on Russia at the UN.
However, unlike fence-sitting China, India has been maintaining a clear stance that “it is not the right time for war” as the whole world is just coming out of a deadly Covid-19 pandemic. Delhi is sending clear signals in public and directly to Putin that it’s ready to mediate to end the conflict and urging Putin to end the war. So, India is on the side of peace; but this is not enough for a regional power like India.
On the other hand, China under Xi Jinping is happy to see Russia engaged in a war that is firmly challenging the western hegemony in Europe. In that case, Beijing and Moscow are on the same page; but the world should not forget the fact that both these nations are also competitors at various global forums. Neither Putin nor Xi would accept a subordinate role in the global stage. Therefore, Xi’s friendship or ties with Putin is just a marriage of convenience at this moment. Frankly, Putin is fighting a war with NATO or with the top western powers which Xi is preparing to do for quite some time. Again, both the countries are interdependent in the sense that they are a part of a global coalition to craft a new global order to fight and replace the liberal global order that has been dominating the world since the end of the Second World War under the leadership of the US.
Today, Ukraine’s 43 million people are facing a dark future as the country is devastated under the Russian attacks. Neither they are hoping for an immediate end of the war, nor are they receiving any relief from their economic hardship. Banks are closed, transport systems are suspended in most parts of the country and markets are completely empty. The normal life is shattered. Every single day, war clouds are hovering over Kiev and Kharkiv, a strategically located city just 25 miles from the Russian border. Further, this war town is a midpoint between the already occupied regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in the east and the capital of Kyiv to the west.
Zelenskyy is made a hero out of this war. His resistance is spectacular. He garnered support both from the US and Europe to save his country with financial and military aids. He has been fervently struggling to safeguard the sanctity of his nation. So far, he has been able to make his point in all the global forms, including the UN. And therefore, Russia and Putin are equally worried that the West is mounting both sanctions and pressure on Moscow.
Putin is finding no way out. The Czar is equally helpless and reckless. But neither Putin nor Zelenskyy is ready to surrender. However, Moscow has recently claimed that he is ready to negotiate with Kiev. But it is surprising that despite sending signals for negotiation, Putin has mounted devastating attacks on Kiev and other strategic locations in Ukraine. The end result is the suffering of the common people, particularly women, children, elders and the sick. Above all, Putin must put this war to an end at least on humanitarian ground.
Russia and Ukraine are two countries that have been intertwined for almost 1000 years. Their separation and subsequent developments in Europe and around the world have entirely changed the geopolitical situation in the region. And clearly, Putin was threatened by the NATO encirclement in and around Russia. His concerns were not addressed by the West and forced him to go to war. It is a fact. But that can’t be a justification for Russia to attack an independent nation.
Slavik kinship, extensive intermarriage and long cultural bonding have made Russia and Ukraine not only common European brethren, but also their historical longing for future reunions in border areas. But can it be done by an aggressive war as launched by Putin. No way. Though they are historically and culturally connected, a forceful political reunion could cost both the Russians and the Ukrainians dear. Hope this New Year 2023 will bring sense to Putin to put an end to this bloody war. At the same time, the West under the leadership of the US must understand the growing pain of a new Russia that wants to set the course of global political leadership under Putin. This war is an indication of that. The US and Europe must be getting ready for Putin-like ambitious and aggressive statesmen in the days to come who would challenge the already ailing and aging western liberal order.
(The writer is the Head of the Department of Arts and Humanities at Geeta University, Panipat)
LOL
statesmen are NOT killers. They do NOT bomb their neighbors. putin is attempting genocide...
putin is evil
I shan't disagree with your view. I'm an old guy, once in olive drab, and swam through the "my country, right or wrong" word games. I consistently stood with -- and stand with today -- my country right. When wrong, those in charge are wrong.
Viet Nam and forward, "we" have warred with many people in many places, and called a literal war department our "defense department." But when looking at the national debt from 2000 to today, and considering how much has been wasted -- Afghanistan cost a pretty penny, only to be handed back to the Taliban -- the question nags. Why are we involved in so many military adventures which we then lose? My naive answering is that "some" are winning -- massive sums of money. To the detriment of all others, including coming generations.
As long as the Democrats are making dirty money in Ukraine, the war will continue into infinity. And as long as there is a Biden worshiper breathing the war will continue. Putin has no say so in it. if he took every Russian in Russia and Ukraine and put them on the other side of the Milky Way, the Biden worshipers would still come up with something to blame on him. Their purpose in life is to make sure Biden continues to get his dirty money.
Simpleton
LOL
as if I care about your opinion
you back an evil man
No good guys here! Only winners and losers. I believe only Trump can bring peace. That means two more years of war, two more years of death. Wait for the Mobilization of the USA, the war factories, rationing, draft of both men and women (and trans) Even illegals will be drafted for cannon fodder. All undesirables sent to the Russian Front. It gets worse and worse each day. One very human element—On a fin of an exploded drone over Kiev, a Russian had written—in Russian—”Happy New Year!”
Who is More blame in a war for killing; the soldier that carries out the order or The statesmen who ordered it in the 1st place?
Add perfect example European union has been trying to set up a world in the heck For like forever They wanna protect power they just don’t have, don’t have a right to, To establish there to top dogs there they ultimate activity This is exactly why Russia went to war for because Britian, for example, stands out as a very Good example of a country that used to be an empire but just can’t give up on meddling in other countries they see themselves as master manipulators, propaganda experts, Who are so blind that they can’t see that other people’s keep right through it. And the United States, engages in propaganda, bribery, outright use the force to exact changing countries that they have no business meddling in. I gotta be honest it’s really funny when people talk about how we’re protecting America’s interest in Ukraine but the problem with that is that you denying that Russia has the same rate you’re saying well it’s good for me but not for you
you are right about us not being even close to perfect.
However russia invaded a free and sovereign country. They have killed more than 100,000 Ukrainians and wounded probably twice that many! they have no right to do that. That is pure evil.
putin must be held accountable and I believe he will be.
We are not protecting “our” interests in Ukraine. We are helping them protect their own interests because we care about democracy. We are helping Ukraine because they are fighting for democracy and for their own self-determination.
I believe it is on our interest to promote democracy and self-determination.
You are attempting to change topic. That’s a sign you’re replacing propaganda with panic.
How do you explain that Russia, which claims to be a leading military power, has still not managed to take control of Ukraine after more than ten months of war?
How do you explain that Russia had to abandon Kherson, the only conquered regional capital of Ukraine, in such a pitiful manner?
How do you explain that Putin’s Russian army has no strategy, no organization, no decent equipment and continues to suffer routs all over Ukraine?
No, the west didn’t cause it.
It was caused by Putin. His 22 year dictatorship of Russia has led to thus Russian disaster
He’s no statesman.
He wanted a compliant neighbour.
The citizens of that neighbouring state didn’t want to be a vassal state.
So Putin invaded them
Jacknhoo “Russia will never be allowed to simply end this war. Russia is being forced to retaliate against their opposition”
Is that the latest Kremlin propaganda?
That you Russians were “forced to retaliate against their opposition”?
You can end this war simply by leaving Ukrainian territory
“Is that the latest Kremlin propaganda
That you Russians were “forced to retaliate against their opposition”?
You can end this war simply by leaving Ukrainian territory”
______________
You sound about as foggy as Joe Biden. Having your butt wiped too?
It’s been 9 months and you’re still spouting the same ole ridiculous tired and childish comments.
Look, I’ve cream!
“You can end this war simply by leaving Ukrainian territory”
You think that is foggy? You must have problems reading Latin script I guess, right?
Well It could be sad that the reason Hundred thousand people are dead, if that number is true, Is because the United States and other countries keep pumping money and weapons into that conflict That is the cause of that high death toll that’s preventing you Ukraine From coming to the negotiating table.
the rule is: “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”
meaning: the decision is Ukraine’s to make and they want to keep their own land. They aren’t asking anyone to fight and die for them. They are asking for weapons so they can fight for their own land.
It’s their choice to make...
and yeah I believe that both sides have lost 100,000.
russia has lost 100,000 soldiers as well as Ukraine
They are asking for more than weapons, and the "ask" has no end in sight. Meanwhile the Biden gang is pushing the illegal invasion of the USA.
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