Can the Free World Launch New D-Day to Rid Ukraine of Russia?

Seventy-one years ago, the free world, feeling that the time was ripe for an endgame to drive Nazi Germany’s armies from Europe and defeat Hitler’s plans for world domination, launched the historic, multi-national D-Day invasion of occupied France.

It took 11 months of blood-and-guts warfare for Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s armies to push the Nazi armies back to Berlin and force Germany to sign an unconditional surrender that halted the killings and crimes against humanity and brought peace and stability to Europe.

The free world demonstrated political and military dedication, determination and the right stuff in mobilizing itself to defeat an enemy that had set sights on dominating the entire world.

So what’s changed in the ensuing seven decades with the free world’s dedication to freedom, democracy and national sovereignty? Why is the United States, the European Union, and NATO hiding behind tepid and ineffective threats and sanctions while Russia intensifies with impunity its war against Ukraine? Have Russia’s energy reserves, trade potential and nuclear weapons paralyzed the free world into blind hope about Moscow’s intentions and reprehensible ambitions about global domination?

The leaders of the free world, gathering now at the G-7 summit in Germany, have an opportunity to send Russia a forthright and most importantly united message that it will no longer tolerate its unrestrained arrogance and aggression. The threat against Ukraine and the free world is no less dangerous than was the threat against Poland, France and the free world seven decades ago.

Since earlier this spring, Russia has been massing its regular army and mercenary detachments along the border with the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts of Ukraine, raising the threat level not only against Ukraine but also the entire world. Simultaneously, Moscow is eroding the world’s confidence in its assurance to uphold peace and stability today.

Despite the imperfect Minsk Accords, Ukraine has been abiding by them while Russia has been conducting hit-and-run attacks against Ukrainian positions until last week, when fighting surged in the war zone. Ukrainian troops and Russian mercenaries fought their first serious battles in months.

The Ukrainian military said the Russian terrorists had tried to advance using tanks and up to 1,000 fighters west of the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk, in what was described in news stories as the most significant escalation of the conflict in about three months and in defiance of a ceasefire deal. Ukrainian military command called it a “large-scale offensive against Ukrainian positions.” Russian mercenaries claimed that 15 of their terrorists and civilians were killed but denied that they had started the new assault.

President Poroshenko reported to the Verkhovna Rada on June 4 that some 9,000 regular Russian soldiers are deployed in Donbas and warned of a “full-scale” Russian invasion of Ukraine. He said Ukraine has deployed 50,000 troops in the conflict zone to meet the threat. His address to parliament was one of the first times the Ukrainian commander-in-chief used the word “invasion” to refer to Russia’s assault since the start of the war, in which the United Nations has said more than 6,400 people have been killed.

“A colossal threat of renewal of full-scale military actions by the Russian terrorist groups remains. Now on the territory of Ukraine there are 14 Russian tactical groups with total number of personnel exceeding 9,000 servicemen. Concentration of the Russian servicemen near the state border is bigger by half than a year ago,” Poroshenko said. “The military must be ready as much for a renewal of an offensive by the enemy in the Donbas as they are for a full-scale invasion along the whole length of the border with Russia. We must be truly ready for this.”

Despite Moscow’s claims to the contrary, Russian mercenaries in the Russo-Ukraine War of 2014-15 are backed by thousands of regular Russian soldiers, which has been substantiated not only by Ukrainian government and military officials but also by NATO, the United Nations and even careless, boastful Russian troops. Certainly, the smoking gun has been Russian soldiers taken prisoner on Ukrainian territory and those convalescing in Ukrainian hospitals.

Fortunately for Ukraine, Poroshenko said Ukrainian forces successfully mopped up in Maryinka after repelling the rebel attack. He said Ukrainian soldiers ousted pro-Russia terrorists from that eastern town and captured 12 saboteurs, including one Russian. Ukrainian armed forces and the volunteer battalions have again proven their military skills, dedication, heroism and patriotism – features the Russian invaders lack.  

London’s Daily Mail confirmed Poroshenko’s statement by reporting that Ukrainian troops thwarted pro-Russian separatists’ attempt to take Maryinka as they fought their first serious battles in months.

The White House said President Obama spoke with Poroshenko last Friday about the war in Ukraine and both leaders expressed their “deep concern” about fighting near Donetsk and urged rebels to respect the Minsk ceasefire. Beyond listening and expressing concern, Obama is not prepared to offer greater aid to Ukraine.

Russia’s escalation of the 15-month unprovoked war with Ukraine threatens global peace and stability though not all world leaders are brave enough to admit it.

US officials have acknowledged that economic sanctions haven’t forced Putin to change his militant policies regarding Ukraine, and they voiced concerns about an increase in violence in Ukraine and the use of heavy weaponry that was restricted by the cease-fire deal.

“It’s clear the sanctions are working on the Russian economy, but what is not apparent is that that effect on his economy is deterring Putin from following the course that was evidenced in Crimea last year,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter, noting that Russian aggression would be “an enduring challenge.”

Carter is one of the more vocal supporters of a hardline approach to dealing with Moscow because of its war against Ukraine. He has urged the US to increase the number of military exercises and training programs across Europe and strengthen NATO’s intelligence sharing to better counter Russian aggression in the region.

Carter also said the US and others are worried Putin would use similar tactics elsewhere in the region and is positioning Russia as a US adversary. That is a likely scenario given Russia’s hostility and the former captive nations’ preparations.

“There are other things we need to be doing in recognition of the fact that, at the moment at least, Vladimir Putin does not seem to be reversing course,” Carter told reporters. “Therefore we need to adapt, in a long-term sense, to that reality.”

Unfortunately, adapting to that reality means learning to live with it rather than working to change Putin and Russia.

Many in Congress also support a hardline position vis-à-vis Russia and helping Ukraine with additional aid. Among them is Sen. Bob Portman (R-OH), who recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Ukraine. Writing in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on May 31, Portman urged NATO to step up and help Ukraine. Without this aid, Ukraine will not be able to stave off Russian aggression and embark on a national course to democracy, wellbeing and national sovereignty.

Portman wrote: “Ukrainians have made incredible sacrifices in the hopes of securing a democratic future but they need sustained economic, political, and military support from the United States and NATO to ensure a successful future.

“They have also made an unequivocal choice to pursue a pro-Western, democratic path, and are making progress in fighting decades of corruption that left Ukraine weak, while dealing with a blatant Russian invasion. Successful follow-through on these reforms will be essential to the long-term success and prosperity of Ukraine.”

He concluded: “Our efforts must be part of a broader strategy to support regional allies and deter Russian aggression. We must demonstrate America's commitment to the security of our friends through a reinforced NATO presence in Eastern Europe and more vigorous engagement in training and security cooperation. President Putin's actions upend decades of established international norms and the response demonstrates the weakness of the Western alliance and America's leadership.

“Confidence in America and our European allies' commitment to uphold these norms deters bad actors and incentivizes other countries to play by the rules. If our credibility is in doubt, the chance for violence and instability increases. Nearly every Ukrainian official I met with understood this. It's time the White House did as well.”

That’s why the G-7 meeting underway in Germany is vital to Ukraine’s independence and future. Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a leading champion in Ukraine’s corner. He is bravely urging his G-7 leaders to ban Russia from returning to their ranks at least while it’s waging war against Ukraine. Canada is also giving financial assistance to Ukraine to help it build its struggling economy, which has been beset by corruption. Canada's help includes $202 million in development assistance and $400 million in low-interest loans.

Harper told Poroshenko on Saturday that Canada will make Ukraine’s case at the G-7 summit in the Bavarian Alps.

“While Ukraine may not have a seat at the table, I can assure you, Mr. President, the situation will be very high on Canada’s agenda,” Harper said with Poroshenko at his side.

Ukraine has made no secret of its urgent desire for weapons to fight the Russian terrorists as well as Russian troops equipped with their latest armament. While there has been some talk about this request in G-7 circles, Harper was quoted as saying that he has made it clear that Ottawa was not yet willing to send Ukraine weapons but would continue to assist the Ukrainian forces in other ways.

“We supply a range of non-lethal military equipment,” Harper said. “We would only go beyond that in concert with our allies and that are matters on which we have an ongoing dialogue.”

While disappointed about this, Poroshenko praised Canada for supporting Ukraine since “the first hours” of his presidency and said the military aid it had provided to his country, such as medical kits and mobile hospitals, “addressed an acute problem.”

Poroshenko characterized his talks with Harper as “effective and very relevant” and said the Canadian leader had become locally famous for his remark earlier in the week that Russia needs to “get out of Ukraine.”

All G-7 leaders must stand shoulder to shoulder with Poroshenko and reiterate Harper’s thoughts so Putin is not mistaken about their meaning.

Indeed, today’s free world would probably reject any suggestion of sending their armies into Ukraine to help expel and defeat the Russian invaders. However, the G-7 leaders can launch a political and economic D-Day against Russia for violating international laws, invading a peaceful neighbor and committing crimes against humanity not less abhorrent that those of Nazi Germany.

For the good of global peace and stability and their own integrity and righteousness, the G-7 leaders must emerge from their summit with a single-minded, forceful commitment to present Russia with the option of unconditionally withdrawing from Ukraine and returning to good graces of international community or being banned forever. Moscow must understand that its brand of international lawlessness will not be endured.