Three Years Later & Russia Still Stumps Free World

As the 2014 Winter Olympic Games – which together with the Summer Olympics comprise humanity’s celebrated quadrennial exhibition of peace and fraternity – were winding down, host country Russia abruptly shattered global peace and stability. Moscow launched its blitzkrieg to re-subjugate Ukraine and the other x-captive nations and restore the iron curtain.

The free world was staggered by Russia’s invasion of an independent European country. But all along Moscow has been forthright with its intentions regarding what it perceives as its sphere of influence. The Kremlin habitually asserted its authority on its so-called near abroad and warned that the countries will face dire consequences it they violate its directives or seek to accede to EuroAtlantic political, military or economic pacts.

Vladimir Putin personally warned Kyiv and his in-country gauleiter Viktor Yanukovych against leaving Moscow’s orbit in the summer of 2013 during the commemorations of the millennium of Christianity of Kyiv-Rus. Yanukovych feigned Ukrainian patriotism but ultimately rejected EU accession igniting the national Revolution of Dignity.

The free world declined to consider seriously Putin’s threat but the Russian leader held fast. As the Ukrainian nation was defeating Russia on the streets of Kyiv and sending a strong signal to the world that only it will be the master of its destiny, Moscow invaded the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.

The free world was again aghast, wondering why Putin decided to invade Ukraine, disrupt global affairs and international relations, and sow distrust among nations.

This confusion stems from a historical lack of appreciation of the invader and misplaced belief. Today’s mediators are addressing the Russo-Ukraine War of 2014-17 as a conflict between two rational opponents. In reality, it is far from that. For centuries, Russia – tsarist, communist or federal – has sought to conquer and subjugate Ukraine and other neighboring countries for the glory of Mother Russia. The same holds true today.

The Russian national mentality and that of its leadership oozes visions of imperial aggression, which today is strengthened by pure hatred.

During a discussion at the recent global security conference in Munich that was broadcast by TV 112 Ukraine, President Poroshenko offered this succinct clarification:

“Putin hates Ukraine deeply and sincerely. He denies distinctiveness and unique identity of the Ukrainian people. I know that personally. He publicly proclaims Ukrainian identity as a part of Russian dominant identity. He sees no place for Ukraine at the political map of Europe, and he wants to draw a place for Ukraine in Russian colors. But, it would be a mistake to think that the Russia’s appetites are limited to Ukraine only.”

Indeed, Russia in all of its imperial phases, personified today by Putin, built and reinforced its prison of nations.

The past three years have seen a real – not hybrid, ersatz or cyber – war in Ukraine. The mere photographs of war-torn eastern Ukraine reveal the devastation caused by Russia’s military assault against Ukraine that rival images of postwar Europe.

“The appalling number of victims highlights the immorality of Kremlin’s war against the Ukrainian people: over 9,800 Ukrainian people were killed, about 23,000 wounded and almost 1.8 million of internally displaced persons. 7.2 % of Ukrainian territory has been seized by Russia and millions of the citizens of Ukraine live there under occupation and endless terror. Russia persists in sending new fighters, weaponry and ammunition to Ukraine through the section of the Ukrainian-Russian state border of 409.7 km long, which remains out of control of the Ukrainian government,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said on this anniversary.

In Crimea, Russia seized the land, terrorized and imprisoned Crimean Tatars, staged a fabricated referendum and annexed the peninsula for itself. Crimea became occupied territory, where Russia regularly violates the people’s cultural, spiritual and human rights. Following in the footsteps of the draconian tsarist and communist phases of Russian imperialism, today’s Kremlin rulers are persecuting, arresting and imprisoning anyone in Crimea who criticizes or opposes the occupation regime.

“Occupied Crimea, closed for any form of international control and monitoring, is now an area for systemic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, targeting, first of all, the Ukrainian activists and the indigenous people of Crimea – Crimean Tatars. The citizens of Ukraine are being groundlessly detained and imprisoned, activists are disappearing, their families and friends are facing intimidation. The Mejlis, a representative body of the Crimean Tatar people, was banned,” the Ukrainian government said.

Furthermore, in the course of the past three years, Russia has been busy militarizing the peninsula in the Black Sea by stationing aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Russia’s violation of the UN Charter and international law and order as well as its invasion of Ukraine are common knowledge but the world is incapable of forcing Moscow to withdraw. With a few exceptions, such as the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, other countries haven’t condemned Russia’s latest belligerence. Such a disunited front merely bolsters Moscow’s resolve to pursue its invasion of Ukraine as Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius has pointed out.

France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine as well as Russia’s domestic and regional mercenary-terrorists have concluded a few ceasefires that have been consistently trampled by Russia. European powers again are betting on the ultimate success of today’s ceasefire, but if history is a teacher it is also bound to fail because of Russian military violations and escalations. The time, money and effort wasted on the quadrilateral negotiations would have been better served if they were earmarked to rebuild Donbas schools destroyed by Russian bombardment.

The latest ceasefire began on Monday, February 20, amid a bloody escalation in fighting that began in January. Since then at least 30 civilians died in what Kyiv describes as Russia’s unsuccessful offensive against the city of Avdiyivka. According to the Ukrainian military, more than a dozen Ukrainian soldiers were killed and about 100 were wounded at the same time.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry observed: “Russia remains unwilling to implement the Minsk Agreements thus undermining all efforts taken by Ukraine and the international community towards de-escalation and stabilization in the region. Moscow’s propaganda has no limits to lie, falsification and doublespeak. Human life has no value for the aggressor. Besides their actions in Ukraine, the Russian structures were regularly spotted interfering in the internal affairs of other sovereign states. The aggressive policy of the Russian Federation poses a threat for the entire world order.”

NATO recognizes Russia’s guilt in the war with Ukraine and notes that Moscow has become more assertive than in the past. NATO Secretary General Jens Soltenberg told CNBC at the Munich Security Conference. “We have seen a Russia that has invested heavily in new military capabilities, which has tripled spending on defense over the last years, and — most importantly — which has been willing to use military force against neighbors in Georgia and Ukraine. And that’s exactly why NATO is responding in a measured defensive way.”

Is it possible that Russia has an unbreakable stranglehold on the free world?

As the Russian war against Ukraine begins its fourth year, Ukraine is confronted by a new White House administration that has not yet taken a clear stand in support of Ukraine’s rightful, sovereign place under the sun. President Donald J. Trump has expressed more support for Putin and Russia than Poroshenko and Ukraine. Trump’s trusted captains Paul Manafort and his connections with Yanukovych and Putin as well as Michael Flynn and his rendezvous with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak are the stuff of John le Carre’s novels. The policies Inside the Beltway reflect what I’ve labeled a Kremlin on the Potomac rather than the White House.

A few Cabinet members have expressed support for Ukraine, among them Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Ambassador Nikki Haley and Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Vice-President Mike Pence is also a vocal member of the pro-Ukraine chorus.

In Munich, Poroshenko expressed confidence in US support, observing: “I had a wonderful conversation with Vice President of the United States Mike Pence. We share the same values, and Pence is informed about the situation in eastern Ukraine in detail. He also knows the reasons for failures in the implementation of the Minsk agreement and that Russia is responsible for those failures.”

I have my doubts because the Trump is the President and he calls the shots not spokesman Sean Spicer, who made pro-Ukraine references at press conferences on behalf of Trump. To the point, when Trump had the opportunity to personally declare support for Ukraine, insist that Russia returns Crimea to Ukraine and end the “conflict” at his first 77-minute long news conference, he didn't. Trump did mention Ukraine a few times in his remarks in reference to Manafort’s work in Kyiv but he faltered about what Manafort actually did in Ukraine, omitting to note that it was detrimental to Ukraine and the USA. The President did use the loathed “THE” Ukraine noun.

Foreign policy experts have been wondering what if Putin expands the war against Ukraine to other x-captive nations – as they expect he will. Will President Trump then continue to stand with Putin? If so, Trump will completely bankrupt America’s moral credibility around the world.

The free world must consider these venues of critical assistance for Ukraine.

Sanctions: As it rattles its saber around the world, Russia continues to wage its war in Ukraine even in the face of economic sanctions against its leaders. Fortunately, on this point, the free world is united: sanctions will not be lifted until Russia withdraws from Ukraine and Crimea. Sanctions must be continued and intensified. Complete, unconditional Russian withdrawal from Ukraine and surrender of its mercenary-terrorists will allow Kyiv to rebuild Ukraine. Anything less will contribute to organized or sporadic acts of Russian terrorism across Ukraine for years to come.

Weapons: Ukraine urgently needs more military aid from the United States and other allies, some of which are helping Kyiv with training and non-lethal materiel. The free world must publicly recognize the frontline in the defense of the European Union is in eastern Ukraine, where NATO is getting a free lesson about Russia’s military tactics.

Poroshenko, who advocates peaceful solutions, said as much in an interview with Bild German newspaper.

“You know that I am the President, who advocates peace, but now we are talking about the protection of our country and the people. To do this, we urgently need defensive weapons," he said, adding he believes that the US and Europe are aware of this need.

Legislatures: Ukraine must continue to depend on the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and other legislative advocates for Ukraine on Capitol Hill. Congressmen Sander Levin (D-MI), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Andy Harris (R-MD) recently sponsored a resolution (H. Res. 88) in the US House of Representatives calling on the Russia to stop the violence in eastern Ukraine, cease aiding its mercenary-terrorists, honor the Minsk ceasefire agreement, withdraw military weaponry from Ukraine, and repair Ukraine’s infrastructure damaged in the war.  The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that additional sanctions might be imposed on Russia if the violence doesn’t subside.  

Unity in Banishment: The free world must regard Russia as a criminal pariah that must be banned from all global events. This stigma must remain in place until Russia atones for its crimes against humanity.