Democracy Continues to Shrivel in Russia

The enigma that is Russia for some is filling out step by step every day, giving pundits, world leaders, doubters, naysayers and the entire global community a clearer picture of the threat Moscow is posing to international peace, stability and security.

Russia, with its omnipotent leader Vladimir Putin, has set out on a dangerous course of global domination. Its invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Ukrainian land is but one recent example of its violent external expansion.

Domestically, the Kremlin and its so-called legislative bodies, which are merely rubber stamps for Putin’s whims, are tightening their grips on all forms of freedom of expression, even outlawing the LGBT community and arresting anyone wearing Ukrainian colors, thereby squeezing out the last drops of democracy from society. Non-governmental organizations, which are the foundation of democracies around the globe, have also come under fire with those receiving support from overseas subject to charges of treason.

Then today, a draconian law restricting freedom of the press via blogging was signed into effect by Putin. The law requires registration of this popular form of reporting in a list compiled by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskombadzor), which would partially equate them to journalists.

The law is included in the framework of an “anti-terrorist package” implying that bloggers are terrorists – and consequently could be enemies of the state.  The law pointed out that a blogger is a person who places universal-access information intended for a mass audience, on a personal page in the Internet. Bloggers, whose posts are read by more than 3,000 users per 24 hours, must be included in the Roskombadzor register. The law also introduces such a notion as organizer of the dissemination of information in the Internet.

The blogger may either file an application for registration on his own upon filling an e-form on a special website, or wait for a notification about the need to register from Roskombadzor.

The registered bloggers will be required to list information about themselves on their pages, prevent the use of the information for criminal purposes, avoid unverified information, intrusion into the private life and denigration of the honor of other citizens.

This stricture was condemned by civil rights experts around the world.

Remi Piet, assistant professor of public policy, diplomacy and international political economy at Qatar University observed in Al Jazeera: “Since the escalation in Ukraine in early spring, news websites have been under the close scrutiny of Roskomnadzor, especially those of independent media outlets and blogs of key opposition leaders. Several have been blocked since the beginning of the year, including the official website of Alexei Navalny, who finished second in the recent mayoral elections in Moscow, running on a political platform of the liberalisation of politics and fighting corruption. The website of opposition leader and former World Chess Champion, Gary Kasparov, was also censored.”

It was certain that as Russia expands its anti-democratic policies and aggression, Putin would shackle the freest form of journalist expression – the blogger.

While it is a new phenomenon, blogging has contributed to some of the most insightful analyses of world events, especially those that threaten the safety of societies. They have become the bane of dictators around the world.

Hugh Williamson, of New York-based Human Rights Watch, called the law after it was adopted by the Russian parliament in April “another milestone in Russia’s relentless crackdown on free expression.”

Russian blogger Oleg Kozyrev opined that “every blogger might face a threat of criminal prosecution,” adding that he does not intend to register his Web site.

Kozyrev was further quoted as saying that he expected that many of his colleagues would resort to a Soviet-era habit of making their points elliptically to avoid outright confrontation with authorities.

“There is a tradition in Russian literature of fables, and of speaking figuratively and hinting,” he said. “They won’t say what they really mean, but people will guess.”

While it is a new phenomenon, it is a recognized craft that deserves protection, according to opinions expressed by United Nations officials.

Donna Ann Welton, deputy director for communications, United States Mission to the United Nations, pointed out: “As communications technologies evolve, we are reminded that all individuals are entitled to the same human rights and fundamental freedoms online as they are offline, and all governments must protect those rights regardless of the medium. We must also recognize the importance of journalists and we call on all governments to protect the ability of journalists, bloggers, and dissidents to write and speak freely without retribution.”

With Russian mass media – TV, radio and publications – forced to perpetuate lies and fabrications about internal events, Russia’s war with Ukraine, and its downing of MH17, Russians will have limited access to accurate, fair, balanced and credible accounts of what’s happening. Perhaps today’s media lies have contributed to Putin’s unbelievable high popularity – or perhaps even that’s a lie.

As long as Putin remains in power in Russia, all segments of Russian society will suffer. Ultimately, the international community will also suffer.

Go Ahead, Knock this Stick off My Shoulder, I Dare Ya

Repetitive threats of tough and tougher sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine and shooting down MH17 remind me of reluctant schoolyard dares to knock it off. Go ahead, knock it off, I dare ya.

To be fair, US, Canada and the EU have imposed punitive sanctions against Russia, which reportedly have cost Russian oligarchs some $14.5 billion. But Russia’s aggression and killings continue unabated. Nothing seems to be convincing Putin that he must cease and desist or else his belligerent polices will bring Russia and Russians Nazi-like disgrace for generations.

Washington and other capitals that are endeavoring to bring Russia to its senses haven’t yet convinced Russia of their resolve because Russia raises its criminal ante everything the US and EU reply by warning Moscow that if it does that once more, they will then really punish Russia. Go ahead, knock it off, I dare ya.

Apparently frustrated by Putin’s aggressive obstinacy, the European Union and the United States on Tuesday, July 29, announced what they consider significant additional sanctions against Russia, targeting its energy, banking and defense sectors. The declared sanctions were touted as the strongest international reaction yet over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in hopes that it would back down from its war to subjugate Ukraine.

“Russia is once again isolating itself from the international community,” President Obama was quoted as saying, claiming that the US sanctions will have an “even bigger bite” thanks to action by the Europeans. 

“If Russia continues on this current path, the costs on Russia will continue to grow,” Obama said in Washington. “Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the sanctions that we’ve already imposed have made a weak Russian economy even weaker.”

Obama said the US sanctions would hit the finance, arms and energy sectors of Russia’s economy. Among the US sanctions, according to the Treasury Department, are penalties that target the Bank of Moscow, the Russian Agricultural Bank and VTB Bank. Also listed on the Treasury designation is the United Shipbuilding Corp., which is based in St. Petersburg. 

Obama said the US is also blocking the export of certain goods and technologies to the Russian energy sector, and suspending credit “that encourages exports to Russia and financing for economic development projects in Russia.”

In Brussels, diplomats said ambassadors from the 28-member European bloc agreed to restrictions on trade of equipment for the oil and defense sectors, and “dual use” technology with both defense and civilian purposes. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin’s biggest supporter who had been reluctant to step up sanctions before the crash because of her country's trade links with Russia, said the latest EU measures were “unavoidable.” Russia’s state run banks would be barred from raising funds in European capital markets. The measures would be reviewed in three months and they’re supposed to be enacted August 1.

The word “if” and the lack of immediacy will not convince Putin of the West’s conviction. Also, it is unknown how much financial pain the Russian oligarchs, most of whom are loyal Putinists, are prepared to tolerate. Is $14.5 billion enough? Will $20 billion send them over the top and spark a revolution against Putin?

Regrettably, Putin has shown no sign of backing down now or in the face of future sanctions or threats. Indeed, despite the virtually universal global condemnation following the downing of MH17, Western countries have said Russia hasn’t backed down but rather it stepped up support for Russian terrorists in Ukraine by sending them more tanks, artillery, rockets and heavy weapons.

News media noted that London’s financial could face disproportionate harm from measures against Russian banks. German manufacturing firms could also lose customers. European banks and other creditors that are owed money by Russians may face a greater risk that clients will have trouble refinancing or repaying their loans. Perhaps those are the real reasons for hesitation.

“These sanctions are harder than anything we have ever had before,” said James Nixey of British think tank Chatham House. “It will hurt a little bit but it’s a down payment on the future security of Europe. It's a question of Western credibility.”

So far the down payment has not convinced the aggressor.

Sen. John McCain’s quaint warning that there would be hell to pay if Russia doesn’t cooperate with the international investigation about the downing of MH17 can be extended without exaggeration to Russia’s behavior not only over the past six months but through centuries. Hell wasn’t paid because Russia has a large letter of credit from Lucifer. Last week McCain called Europe’s tepid sanctions on Russia are “a joke” that will only encourage further aggression from Putin.

“It's a joke and they will do nothing and I predicted they would do nothing,” McCain was quoted as aptly remarking. “They will continue to do nothing until the day they become independent of Russian energy. Until then they will talk.”

McCain’s allusion was correct. How long will the US and EU tolerate Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its neighbors? The former captive nations feel the threat but when will Berlin and Paris?

The Washington Post stated in an editorial on July 24 that Putin “has responded to the international outrage over the destruction of a Malaysian airliner by his proxies in eastern Ukraine by escalating his aggression.” The newspaper noted that the Russian leader “is clearly not impressed” by the West’s response and sanctions.

Criticizing Obama’s halfhearted response to Russia’s aggression, The Washington Post correctly opined that the US “has already missed the opportunity for swift action to stop Mr. Putin’s escalation. If he does not act soon, it may be too late to save Ukraine.”

Will Ukraine, 23 years after declaring its independence from Russia, be lost on our watch?

Economic sanctions have so far been ineffective because Putin has scoffed at them. He is keenly keeping his eye on regional and then global domination – Russia’s manifest destiny. The US, Canada and EU must up the ante. They must declare Russia a global terrorist state, exclude it from international affairs, ostracize it from the table, stop trading with it, and sever diplomatic relations with Moscow.

They also have to take to heart the sobering conclusion by Leonid Nevzlin of OJSC “Yukos Oil Company,” the Russian petroleum company, that the only salvation for Russia – and the world – is Putin’s ouster from power.

US Congress Urges Putin to Stand Down

With Russia’s war against Ukraine escalating, President Poroshenko has been busy appealing to the US Congress and White House for moral and practical help. Indeed the US, Canada and EU have been in the forefront of condemning Russia for its belligerence against Ukraine and threatening it with additional sanctions if Moscow doesn’t stand down.

Last week Poroshenko called on the Congress to recognize militants and organizations acting eastern Ukraine, as well as those who support them, as terrorists. “It will be an important gesture of solidarity that we are expecting from the entire world,” he pointed out.

His call dovetailed with what many in Ukraine and around the world have been saying about Russian mercenaries and regular troops and officers fighting against Ukrainian armed forces in eastern Ukraine. They are terrorists – and not merely for the amount of death and destruction that they’ve sown. There have been credible reports that Russian invading forces have used civilian residences for target practice.

Poroshenko emphasized that you cannot call those who kill innocent people separatists -- they are terrorists. “Each person in the world must feel how dangerous it is for everyone,” he said.

He pointed out that if anticipated sanctions against Russia do not work – and delaying enacting them do not help, there are grounds to request Congress for a special status of “Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States” that has already been granted to Israel, Australia and the Philippines.

“It is a threat for the whole world. It is not a conflict inside Ukraine. Ukrainian nation is united as never before and the world should find the right answer to the actions of terrorists,” he emphasized.

In the halls of Congress, Congressional Ukrainian Caucus co-Chairs Reps. Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Sander Levin (D-MI) on Thursday, July 24, introduced legislation to provide a clear and specific process to provide direct military and security assistance to the Government of Ukraine as it seeks to strengthen its democracy and prevent Russian violence and aggression within its borders.
HR 5190, the proposed Ukraine Security Assistance Act of 2014, would reinforce the strong relationship between the US and Ukraine and take an important step toward helping Ukraine neutralize the military-support advantage that Russian terrorists are using to target civilian and military aircraft in eastern Ukraine and foster violence and instability across that country.  This legislation would authorize the president to work with the government of Ukraine to assess that country’s military, intelligence, and security needs and provide adequate and necessary assistance to protect Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty.

“The Ukrainian people have made clear their desire to build a stronger democratic self-government and establish closer ties to the European Union and the west,” Gerlach said.  “Unfortunately, as recent events have demonstrated, the Russian Federation will not honor Ukraine’s sovereignty and will continue to meddle within Ukraine’s border until it has broken the spirit of the Ukrainian people.  The evidence released by US and Ukrainian intelligence authorities shows without a doubt that rebel separatists and hired thugs, armed with superior Russian technology and weapons, continue to foment havoc and instability. The bipartisan legislation we introduced today is another important step towards reaffirming the United States’ commitment to helping our Ukrainian allies develop as a fully democratic nation.”

This is the type of support Ukraine needs and deserves now. Ukraine is in the throes of a war for its independence, freedom and continued democratic evolution. The display support from the public officials of the United States and other free countries must be relentless.

HR 5190 was also supported by Rep. Marcy Kaptur [D-OH-9], Rep. Sander Levin [D-MI-9], Rep. Louise Slaughter [D-NY-25], Rep. David Joyce [R-OH-14], Rep. Patrick Tiberi [R-OH-12], Rep. James Renacci [R-OH-16], Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. [D-NJ-9], Rep. Tom Marino [R-PA-10], Rep. Steve Stivers [R-OH-15], and  Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick [R-PA-8].