Russia’s Expansionism Threatens Global Peace – Then and Now

Presidential elections come and go but Russia with its adventurism, aggression and subversion certainly remains the same.

Preparing the December 2020 edition of The Ukrainian Quarterly, I came across another salient article from the inaugural edition of 1944 about the detrimental absence of an understanding of the essential mutual relationship between global peace and security and Ukraine. That gap existed then and sadly it still does today.

The Ukrainian Quarterly was launched by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America toward the end of World War II, at a fateful time when the allies, confident in their victory over Nazi Germany, were wrestling over plans about a post-war global arrangement that would ensure peace.

Roman Olesnicki, a member of the executive committee of the Western Ukrainian National Democratic Alliance, in his article titled “The Problem of Ukraine in Recent American Peace-Planning Literature,” correctly opined that future peace would be assured if Ukraine and its national interests were taken into consideration by the Western allies.

“The real avalanche of peace-planning literature came only recently, as an apparent result of the Moscow and Teheran conferences. Each work on the future peace endeavors naturally to sell to the American public a plan for a better and more permanent peace. The approaches to the problem are manifold: some are motivated by a desire rather to achieve a social revolution than a lasting peace, some display a partiality for certain nations or forms of government, but all fail in one respect, and that is in overlooking or underestimating Ukraine, as a major factor in the problem of peace in Eastern Europe,” Olesnicki wrote.

Indeed, if the free world would have comprehended Russia’s aggressiveness as the singular reason for international conflagrations and the foolhardiness of ignoring Ukraine’s role in regional and global affairs then future small and large, cold and hot wars could have been avoided. There is still time to earnestly admit this danger.

Olesnicki further said in his research for his article he did not find one acknowledgement of the existence of a separate and distinct problem of Ukraine. However, he found that in many instances the problems of Soviet-Polish boundaries, of Poland, of Czechoslovakia and of other countries discussed by the respective authors were in reality and unbeknownst to them discussions of the Ukrainian problem.

“The denial of the existence of a Ukrainian problem, or at least its concealment have been common practice for such a long time that it is not the least surprising to find as little direct discussion of and reference to the Ukrainians and their country as possible, even in works, which purport to picture all problems of Europe with impartiality,” Olesnicki wrote.

In addition to battlefield achievements against the Nazis featured in American newspapers, Russia also cleverly used its “Ukrainian card” to demonstrate the existence of Ukraine with an army that contributed to its propaganda that gullible Western leaders swallowed hook, line and sinker. Consequently, as Olesnicki pointed out, Moscow has been ceaselessly pursuing its usurped freedom to willfully subjugate Ukraine.

“Russia’s everyday dispatches on the valor of her Ukrainian Armies, on the liberation of all Ukrainians to join one big happy family, appear too plausible for Americans to detect anything suspicious behind them,” he noted.

Olesnicki argued correctly that hidden beneath Moscow’s disinformation was a campaign to subjugate Ukraine and other nations by Russia and only Russia, which rules the Soviet Union as a cover through the Communist Party – yes, there has been and is only one Russia for centuries. And despite constitutional guarantees to the opposite, the brutal reality of the evil empire or prison of nations is that Ukraine and the others have been subjugated.

Olesnicki recounted Russia’s nefarious achievements and the West’s naïveté in this passage: “Immediately after the beginning of the liquidation of the hetmans of Ukraine (18^th century – id.), Russia gave Ukraine the name of ‘Malorosseya’ or Little Russia, and the Russians began to assume the role of the elder brethren of the Ukrainians. Through the centuries the Anglo-Saxon world came to believe that this is as it should be, and started to regard the Ukrainians in Russia as they did the Bavarians in Germany. This attitude is clearly revealed when Dr. Shotwell (Dr. James T. Shotwell, author of “The Great Decision”) simplifies the whole problem of Ukraine by making his readers believe that Ukraine is a province of the vastly preponderating unity of Great Russia. This is precisely what the Russians have been trying to achieve through centuries of brutal extermination of Ukrainians, culminating in the greatest ruthlessness during the recent times of Stalin’s empire, when Ukraine was deliberately starved to death (with the applause of Mr. Walter Duranty) (Olesnicki’s parenthetical remark. They knew about it then.) and untold millions were deported to Siberia, until now there are probably as many Ukrainians in Siberia as there are in Ukraine proper.”

He bemoaned that certain American scholars advocate self-government and freedom from exploitation for some Asiatic peoples while denying that right to Ukrainians in the Russian empire.

Olesnicki emphasized that Ukrainians did not in the slightest degree contribute to starting World War II.

“It was their subjugation under four foreign yokes which made Hitler scheme to bring them under his fifth yoke. The Ukrainians wish to live their own free life, and will not start wars, as they have never in their history waged any, except the struggle for liberation. But as long as they remain enslaved, someone will covet them and their natural riches, and for that purpose will wage war,” he wrote.

To paraphrase Olesnicki’s conclusion, a subjugated Ukraine or one that is under constant threat of Russian aggression and war creates a regional and global political vacuum that will invite Moscow or others to fill it. The only guaranteed way to remove this vacuum is to permit Ukraine to develop along the lines of its national wish: away from Russia, and toward freedom, independence and respect deserving of a country among equals. And not only on paper.

Today Ukraine is again shedding its blood on a battlefield against Russian invaders in order to secure its freedom and sovereign independence. We, Ukrainians in the diaspora, also have a role in that campaign and outcome. Olesnicki mentioned it twice in his article: “It remains for us, who either came from Ukraine, or have strong ties with Ukraine, to point out to the various authors of peace plans when and where they have erred, so as to forestall in time, if at all possible, the creation of a new boiling cauldron in Eastern Europe, which would be incompatible with a durable peace … It is therefore a duty for all those of us, who through birth or descent have roots in Ukraine, to warn that no durable peace can come out of another injustice committed on Ukraine.”

The free world and the United States also share this responsibility, as eloquently stated by President Franklin Roosevelt after the bombing of Pearl Harbor: “There is no such thing as security for any nation—or any individual—in a world ruled by the principles of gangsterism…We are now in the midst of a war, not for conquest, not for vengeance, but for a world in which this nation, and all that this nation represents, will be safe for our children. We expect to eliminate the danger from Japan, but it would serve us ill if we accomplished that and found that the rest of the world was dominated by Hitler and Mussolini.”

It should be recalled that the United States and Great Britain mobilized the free world to fight and defeat Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II in hopes of a better future for their children.

 Russia’s War against Ukraine, US Elections and More

• Russia’s invasion and occupation of eastern Ukraine have caused a great deal of civilian death and destruction. Not only have residential buildings and churches been targeted by Russian artillery, but intense collateral damage has been experienced by the civilian population. This has only been exacerbated by covid-19.

UN Human Rights Coordinator in Ukraine Osnat Lubrani earlier this month drew attention to the problems of 1.2 million vulnerable residents of Donbas who have been facing a lot of adversity due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

On International Day of Peace, Lubrani said in a statement: “I want to draw attention to the unnoticed suffering of 1.2 million vulnerable residents of Donbas who cannot get their pension payments, travel in order to take care of sick relatives, or reunite with their loved ones. How will they, those who have almost exhausted their resources, survive the seventh winter of the conflict if there are severe restrictions on movement across the demarcation line? Many of us find it challenging to adapt to the covid-19 pandemic. But its heaviest burden, which is further complicated by the armed conflict, is borne by the most vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine who do not have enough resources to adapt to this new reality.”

• Despite ersatz peace negotiations, Ukrainian armed forces continue to face attacks every day due to Moscow’s deceitful participation in the talks. On September 30, 11 hostile shellings were recorded in Donbas, one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Since the beginning of the current day, the enemy has opened fire once, according to the press service of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ.

“Yesterday, on September 30, 11 violations of the ceasefire by the armed forces of the Russian Federation were observed in the areas of responsibility of Ukrainian brigades,” the statement said.

As the news media reported earlier, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak, “There is a full and comprehensive ceasefire on the demarcation line in Donbas. Its introduction has significantly reduced the enemy’s fire activity, but a possibility of the resumption of local hostilities still remains.”

• Fortunately, due to enhanced intelligence gathering, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine does not consider the threat of large-scale offensive actions by illegal armed groups in Donbas likely, said Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhii Korniychuk.

Korniychuk explained that in order to carry out any offensive operations, the enemy has to form a strike group, deploy artillery at the positions, and create a stockpile of ammunition and fuel. “Today, with the means of intelligence that we have, it is impossible to hide anything like it. Besides that, we have information that the enemy at the frontline is understaffed,” he said, according to 112us.com.

• The Russo-Ukraine War has been waging since 2014, with the invasion and annexation of Crimea and then the invasion of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Much to the chagrin of Moscow and the surprise of the free world, Ukrainian soldiers have been able to hold their own. In many cases, thanks to military support from the United States and others, Ukrainian armed forces are containing the Russian invaders. While materiel support is boosted by allied training, by now Ukrainian soldiers can provide a high level of combat training to their free world counterparts being the only standing army to engage the Russian army in a full-scale war.

• Indeed, there are obvious achievements except for the talking part. Kyiv tends to shoot itself in the foot by making detrimental agreements at the negotiating table or delegating Ukrainian representatives of dubious character. Vitold Fokin comes to mind. A remnant of the old guard that ran Moscow’s office in Ukraine, he and the likes of Leonid Kuchma and others should not be called upon to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine. They should cower in the shadows and count themselves fortunate that Ukraine does not practice lustration.

Fortunately, Fokin was fired. According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Fokin “deviated from a fair assessment of Russia’s temporary occupation of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.” Apparently he expressed opinions that were not part of official policy. “Representing the state at any level is not a chance for personal views and ambitions, it is an unconditional obligation to implement the position of the state and the interests of Ukrainian people,” the President’s office said.

• With four days left before the US Presidential Elections, the Democratic hopeful Joe Biden made a few heads turn by saying that Russia is America’s greatest threat. Biden said in an interview last Sunday that in terms of countries presenting a threat to the US, Russia tops the list. “Well, I think the biggest threat to America right now in terms of breaking up our – our security and our alliances, is Russia,” the former Vice-President told “60 Minutes” correspondent Norah O'Donnell, according to FoxBusiness. Biden added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been doing his utmost to spread disinformation about him, DW reported.

We absolutely agree with Biden’s assessment but sadly the entire campaign has been devoid of a discussion about Russian imperialism, aggression and threat.

Moscow, on the other hand, did not take lightly to Biden’s observation. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he regrets that attempts are being made in the US to spread hatred against Russia.

“It’s not right, we strongly disagree with that assertion,” Peskov noted. “We can only regret that hatred against Russia is being spread this way and our country is depicted as an adversary,” Peskov noted.

• For balance and fairness, during the last presidential debate on October 22, President Trump accused the Obama-Biden Administration of not actually helping Ukraine fight Russian aggression. Trump said: “Because there has been nobody tougher to Russia. Between the sanctions, nobody tougher than me on Russia. Between the sanctions between all of what I’ve done with NATO. You know, I’ve got the NATO countries to put up an extra 130 billion, going to $420 billion a year, that's to guard against Russia. I sold — while he was selling pillows and sheets — I sold tank busters to Ukraine. There has been nobody tougher on Russia than Donald Trump. And I'll tell you, they were so bad. They took over the, the submarine port. You remember that very well during your term, during you and Barack Obama. They took over a big part of what should have been Ukraine. You handed it to them.”

• Earlier this month, a rhetorical question was raised about Lithuania’s steadfast support for Belarus’ opposition movement. Apparently, Belarus’ dictator Alexander Lukashenko and others have been offended by this so-called foreign intrusion into the internal affairs of a neighboring country. Linas Jegelevicius in EuroNews explained there are historical reasons for such a sign of support. He quoted Petras Austrevicius, a Lithuanian MEP, the bond between Lithuania and Belarus is linked to both having been under Soviet control. “We are well above the EU average in that (supporting Belarus' opposition movement),” said Austrevicius. “But our exuberance and involvement do not surprise me, as both Belarus and Lithuania have always been very close – in terms of history, culture and the economy.”

Jegelevicius added that another historical dimension to the Belarus-Lithuania relationship is the link between national movements in both countries around the time of independence from the Soviet Union.

Indeed, the former captive nations of the Russian subjugation have a responsibility for each other. In order to safeguard their nations for Moscow’s aggression, they not only have to be vigilant but also stand up and defend their kindred nations. One noteworthy example of this is former Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė’s staunch advocacy of Ukraine’s independence.

This kind of mutual defense is the only protection against Russian invasion.

• History Today earlier this month posed an interesting question on its website: Could the Soviet Union Have Survived? Without delving into its replies, the writers believe there is a difference between the Soviet Union with its capital in Moscow and today’s Russia with its capital in Moscow.

Simply stated, if the USSR had survived or collapsed and given birth to the Russian Federation, everything would remain the same. Moscow would still be spreading war throughout the four corners of the world, it would still seek to re-subjugated Ukraine as it is doing, it would still be subverting free world countries, and it would still be violating the human rights of its citizens.

The simple truth is that Russia and Moscow are one and the same since tsarist times through the Soviet Communist regime until now. That’s the nature of the Russian beast – or bear.

• Russia is not only threating to re-subjugate the former captive nations but it has also targeted other nearby countries. And they’re feeling the menace.

Sweden announced it will increase military spending by about 40% in the next five years and double the number of people conscripted into its armed forces as it aims to strengthen its defense amid growing tensions with Russia, the government has said, according to Reuters.

The country, which is not a member of NATO but enjoys close ties with the alliance, ran down its military forces after the cold war to save money. “We have a situation where the Russian side is willing to use military means to achieve political goals,” the Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist told reporters on Thursday. “Based on that, we have a new geopolitical security situation to deal with.” He said the new proposals would mean an increase in the military budget of 27.5bn Swedish kronor ($3.10 billion) by 2025.

Our hope for a strong military-political bloc of former captive nations and those feeling the threat today is growing in credibility.

• Latvia is also not standing down with its defensive intentions. Its defense sector’s objectives for 2021 will be modernization of the country’s army and enhancement of its cybersecurity, according to the legislative draft on the 2021 state budget, reported BNN news.

Defense Ministry’s main activities for 2021 include sustainable development of the country’s armed forces in accordance with the standing development plan and available funding. The ministry also plans to secure necessary infrastructure solutions to ensure comprehensive development for the armed forces by the continuing development of combat and support capabilities and construction of related infrastructure.

Latvia’s Defense Ministry also plans to enhance the country’s cybersecurity and national cyber protection capabilities to improve protection against cyber attacks and reduce risks to digital security.

• A recent poll in Ukraine should make Moscow think twice about continuing its war against Ukraine. The survey shows that 85% of Ukrainians feel themselves to be patriots and 60% said they’re ready to take up arms to defend their country. This is a slight increase from 2019 when the percentage was 56%.

• Ukraine declared its independence some 30 years and in that time a new generation was born and grew into maturity. This demographic cohort never new Russian oppression and subjugation except from books and the stories of their parents and grandparents. Yet those men and women are proud to take arms to defend the only native country that they know.

An article in EuroMaidan Press highlights their deep commitment to Ukraine and its defense against Russian aggression. The article was written by Dariya Bezruchenko and translated by Christine Chraibi. “In their fight for freedom and dignity, these once-carefree young people have become mature men and women who clearly understand why they’re fighting against Russian aggression. For them, it’s a truly patriotic war of liberation,” Bezruchenko wrote.

Another soldier poignantly recalled: “One day in 2016, a 40-year-old soldier told me this: ‘We must defend our country and let the young people stay home. They must be protected; they are the future of the country!’  However, I’ve met many young people on the front line. They’re in their twenties, but they’re defending Ukraine’s right to choose its own path without asking permission from its so-called ‘older brother.’”

God bless Ukraine’s fighting men and women in this latest war against Russian aggression.

• Ukraine has been reelected to the UN Human Rights Council – not that you’ve read about it. Strangely reports in the news media about the latest composition of the council focused on countries that were not elected such as Saudi Arabia and the dregs that were elected Russia, China and Cuba. Ukraine, if at all mentioned, was written about in the second half of the article.

“As in the previous three years, we will work together with our partners to ensure that human rights take their rightful place. To remind about the highest value of human life. To show that there are no ‘politicized’ and so-called ‘real’ topics. To reaffirm that New York and the Security Council cannot be self-sufficient without Geneva and the Human Rights Council. Accordingly, the security agenda is inseparable from the human rights agenda as lasting peace, peaceful coexistence, and common prosperity is impossible without real steps to strengthen human rights and the rule of law. It is especially true against the background of how fundamental freedoms are violated in different parts of the world,” First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar posted on Facebook.

At the same time, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that Russia, “a prominent human rights violator,” had also made its way to the UN Human Rights Council due to lack of competition in the East Europe group.

Nonetheless, congratulations to Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, permanent representative of Ukraine to the UN, and his team. This posting will surely go far in defending the rights of Ukrainians in Ukraine as well as Russian-occupied Crimea.

• Russian President Putin has called for an immediate, unconditional renewal of the last nuclear arms treaty between Moscow and Washington, pointing out or threatening that his own country has developed new strategic weapons that the United States does not have. Today’s unstable global climate does not have to be further muddied by the Kremlin’s menacing behavior.

Reportedly Russian leader met virtually on Friday with members of his security council and placed arms control high on his agenda. After calling first on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to report on the progress of talks to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) before it expires on February 4, Putin weighed in with his point of view on the failing non-proliferation pact.

“It would be extremely sad if the treaty ceased to exist altogether and were not replaced by another fundamental document of this kind,” he said. Putin touted the success of the treaty and its 2010 and 1991 predecessors in preventing an all-out arms race between the top two nuclear powers, but also took the opportunity to claim that the Russian arsenal has in some ways surpassed that of the U.S.—something he was willing to address in a new agreement.

“It is clear that we have new weapons systems that the American side does not have, at least not yet,” Putin said, “but we do not refuse to discuss this side of the issue.”

Whether Putin is bluffing or not, the US cannot be pushed into a position of accepting his terms for a nuclear arms treaty. Verification before, during and after is needed.

• Sorry to hear that Linas Linkevičius, Foreign Minister of Lithuania, lost his mandate in the parliament after eight years. He has been a faithful friend of Ukraine, a dynamic voice in defense of Ukraine and the other former captive nations vs. Russian aggression. Wherever he goes in the future, we’re sure he’ll remain just supportive. Three cheers and thank you.

Moscow Tightens Screws against Ukrainians in Russia

Moscow has been persecuting ethnic Ukrainians who are citizens of Russia and reside in Russia for years. What is their crime? Have they been subverting Russia? Have they been threatening the lives of Russian leaders such as Vladimir Putin?

Actually, no. What they’ve been doing is nothing more or less than what ethnic Ukrainians, Poles, Italians, Jews and others in the United States have been doing since 1776. Ethnic Ukrainians in Russia have been fostering their culture and heritage by speaking the Ukrainian language, organizing libraries and reading rooms, forming civic groups, and praying to God in the language and faith of their ancestors. However, Moscow regards this behavior, especially on the part of Ukrainians, to be hostile to Russia. It has been said that the Ukrainian language is the most potent weapon against Russia.

Stories about these violations of human rights have been surfacing for years and even courageous Russian human rights groups have said Russia is replete with examples of active discrimination against ethnic Ukrainians.

Leading Russian human rights groups, including Memorial, Crimea SOS, the SOVA center and the Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) had reported that violations of human rights in the Russian Federation and in the occupied territories. In a joint statement, the rights groups pointed to “forced disappearances, illegal deprivation of freedom…, limits on the use and study of native languages and on religious and cultural practices,” as well as “the application of torture even to children.” And they noted Russian officials have repeatedly failed to keep promises to the groups and to international bodies like the UN.

The latest iteration of Moscow’s persecution of ethnic Ukrainians in Russia pertains to a lawyer by the name of Sergii Vynnyk. In an open letter disseminated to American officials, noted Ukrainian American civic leader and retired attorney Askold S. Lozynskyj compared Vynnyk’s case to that of Sergei Magnitsky, the late famous Russian whistleblower who was arrested in 2008, imprisoned, tortured and ultimately died after eleven months in police custody. Magnitsky’s case attracted global attention and the egregious abuse of human rights compelled the United States to pass two statutes in his name, one for activity by the Russian government within its borders and the other for its activity globally. 

Lozynskyj recounted that for 20 years until 2018 Vynnyk had chaired a Ukrainian ethnic non-profit cultural organization in the city of Omsk, located some 1,700 miles east of Moscow. Since November 2018 Vynnyk has represented the Ukrainian ethnic community in Russia and Western Asia within the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), the global coordinating organization of Ukrainian culture and education with membership in some 60 countries of the world including the United States.

Lozynskyj is former president of the Ukrainian World Congress, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and the Ukrainian Youth Association of America and highly regarded for his civic and pro-Ukrainian activism.

On July 11, 2019, the UWC was declared by the Russian Procurator General and the Ministry of Justice as an unwelcome organization on Russian territory. The UWC filed a petition with the Russian court in Moscow to rescind that ruling. Vynnyk, as an attorney, agreed to represent the UWC in the judicial proceeding which was formally filed on October 15, 2019, in Moscow.

“Not coincidentally on the very next day a criminal proceeding was filed by the Russian government against Mr. Vynnyk for alleged personal financial improprieties fabricated by Russian security services,” Lozynskyj wrote in his letter addressed to President Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ).

“Criminal proceedings against Mr. Vynnyk have followed in tandem with the UWC proceedings. In addition, numerous actions by the Russian government served to interfere with Mr. Vynnyk’s representation of the UWC in the Moscow court, including such egregious interference as preventing his leaving the City of Omsk where he resides to travel to Moscow. On at least two occasions Mr. Vynnyk was stopped by the local police at the airport. To prevent default Mr. Vynnyk had to avail himself of video participation in the court proceedings,” Lozynskyj wrote.

The Moscow appellate court ruled on July 22, 2020, against the UWC and in August 2020 the Russian government brought a court proceeding to dissolve the Omsk Ukrainian Cultural Organization citing inactivity. “Naturally, the court ruling was dissolution,” Lozynskyj observed. Then an administrative criminal proceeding was brought against Vynnyk for acting as the attorney for the UWC. “Criminal charges against an attorney for representation in a judicial proceeding is a total travesty of the rule of law. Nonetheless the court imposed a criminal fine against Mr. Vynnyk for his representation,” Lozynskyj wrote.

“The Russian government is not done. It continues to pursue the criminal prosecution against Mr. Vynnyk for security services fabricated financial impropriety and at this time the case remains pending. Clearly, this is a political case violating basic human rights that merits international attention,” he said.

Believing that Vynnyk’s case is identical to that of Magnitsky, Lozynskyj asked the addressees for their intervention at the level of Putin with threats of additional sanctions against Russia and its leadership.

“I am not exaggerating when I compare this matter to Magnitsky and stress that Sergii Vynnyk may become a similar victim of Russian gross abuse of human and minority rights.  Let us deal with this expeditiously to prevent further abuse and right these egregious wrongs before more serious harm is done,” Lozynskyj concluded.

Indeed, I encourage you to send similar letters to your elected officials in Washington, DC, requesting their intervention before another tragedy befalls an innocent Ukrainian. Violations of human rights continue in Russia while globally Moscow pursues an active policy of destabilization, subversion and military aggression. Moscow must be held accountable for these crimes.

Banning Russian-language Media will Safeguard Ukraine

Ukraine has been taken to task internally and externally by Ukrainian, Russian, non-Russian and global organizations for attempting to limit access of Russian-language programming, news and other media to audiences in Ukraine.

The rationale behind this effort by its proponents has been the need to cleanse the Ukrainian nation of the negative effects of centuries-long russification, which was codified in the infamous Ems Ukaz of 1876 that banned the use of the Ukrainian language in the Russian empire, including subjugated eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, by giving the people the opportunity to promote their native Ukrainian language, culture and heritage, the advocates of this campaign are indeed safeguarding the existence of an independent, sovereign Ukraine. After all, in addition to hating the country of Ukraine, there are many examples of Moscow also detesting the Ukrainian language and its speakers.

Yes, for Ukrainians, it’s a matter of national preservation.

The national discrimination and hatred felt by Ukrainians at the hands of Russian colonizers and dictators were also experienced by the other then captive nations that achieved their freedom only in the early 1990s. Today, they are still endeavoring to preserve their national languages, cultures and heritages in the face of continued Russian pressure, among them Lithuanians come to mind.

Vilnius has been an ardent supporter of Ukraine in the latest Russian act of aggression, condemning Moscow’s belligerent actions against all of the now former captive nations. While Lithuania is not engaged in a hot war with Russia, the Kremlin is attacking the Baltic state on the linguistic and cultural fronts with barrages after barrages of Russian-language programming and popular events.

Euronews reported this week that Rimvydas Valatka, a Lithuanian political analyst and signatory of the act that secured Lithuania’s independence in 1991, discovered that a new cable TV package featured in addition to the usual news, sports and sitcoms at least six stations that broadcast in Russian. Furthermore, Valatka discovered that Russia TV, Moscow’s ubiquitous television network and primary Russian-language offender, has an annual budget of about $275 million, a little less than a third of his country’s entire defense budget for 2019. Apparently, russification for Moscow continues to be as significant a weapon of colonization and domination in its arsenal as tanks and nuclear weapons – perhaps more so.

Valatka said that figure amounts to a lot of muscle for the Kremlin in Lithuania, which officially banned RT in September 2020. However, he added, it’s not been effective, according to the Euronews story.

“Although [RT] has been banned by Lithuania for the dissemination of propaganda and enmity, it is still omnipresent on the cable TV channels and on the internet,” Valatka told Euronews.

Lithuania’s State Security Department (VSD) pointed out that RT is just one of a number of soft power weapons that Moscow uses to get its dangerous narrative across in the Baltic state. More broadly, the media is a prime vessel for promoting Russia’s language, culture and history in Lithuania – the first steps in establishing a beachhead for further conquest.

Russian infiltration of Lithuania is also conducted through other popular venues. Euronews said it is of little surprise that since 2014 Russian influence in Lithuania has taken the form of so-called “soft power” rather than a barefaced attempt to actively interfere in politics in the country – as Russia does in other countries or by military invasion as it does in Ukraine. Simultaneously with the growth of Russian-language media, the battle for influence between east and west has recently manifested itself in basketball in a spat over whether Baltic teams should take part in Russia’s professional basketball league, the VTB. Valatka observed that if the club had accepted the offer it would have become, “perhaps unbeknownst to it itself, part of the Russia propaganda machine.”

Ukraine, Lithuania and the other former captive nations, who know firsthand Russian repression, are correct to seal their borders to any form of Russian influence.

US Legislators Stand up in Support of Belarusian People

US congressmen have stood up at the plate to defend the persecuted people of Belarus as it fights to free its country from Aleksander Lukashenko’s brutal regime.

Belarusians have taken to the streets across the country situated between Russia and Ukraine for a couple of months to protest the results of the fabricated elections that returned Lukashenko to office. Hundreds of thousands in numerous cities have stood eye-to-eye with Belarusian security police in a peaceful demonstration against Lukashenko’s despotism. Numerous photos have shown arbitrary arrests, notably of bloodied youth. His regime is closely aligned with the Kremlin, which is seen as its backer.

In response to Lukashenko’s violent crackdown and political repression following the fraudulent August 9 election, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX) Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (R-OH), Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and Congressman William Keating (D-MA) introduced the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020. The Act would provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus as well as support the aspirations of the Belarusian people to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

“The world is recognizing what the struggling—but courageous—people of Belarus have been saying loud and clear since August 9 with their massive rallies: the recent election was fraudulent, and has no credibility with anyone save Lukashenka, and perhaps Russia,” said Rep. Smith, who noted H.R. 8438 updates and reauthorizes his previous legislation enacted in 2004, 2006 and 2011 to advance and promote democracy and human rights in Belarus. “This bipartisan bill renews sanctions on Belarusian Government officials who have obstructed the country’s democratic transition. It gives much-needed support to the besieged Belarusian media, and to the IT sector. Some of the unlikely heroes of this struggle are Belarusian hackers, who have cracked Lukashenko’s firewall, and have been able to broadcast truthful accounts to the Belarusian people of the news of the day. This bill also commissions several much-needed fact-finding efforts to get a better picture of the situation on the ground. The Belarusian people are fighting to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.”  

Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Engel said, “Lukashenka has demonstrated time and time again that he is a brutal dictator interested only in the preservation of his own interests and maintaining his grip on power – no matter the cost. We continue to stand with the peaceful protestors in Belarus, who have turned out in historic numbers demanding a freer, more democratic nation and a free and fair election. With this legislation, the United States Congress once again sends the bipartisan message that the United States will not tolerate Lukashenka’s brutality and illegitimate claims to power. The will of the Belarusian people must be respected, and I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to send that message to Lukashenka, the people of Belarus, and the Russian dictator next door.” 

“We stand with the historic numbers of peaceful Belarusian protesters that continue to flood the streets to demand a more democratic country. Their voices must be heard and the Belarusian authorities using violence, arbitrary detentions and repression in an attempt to stifle their calls to chart their own future must be held accountable,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Leader Rep. McCaul. “This Act sends an unmistakable message to the Belarusian dictator and his supporters in the Kremlin that the United States will neither accept Lukashenka’s illegitimate rule nor allow Belarus’ sovereignty to be handed over to Russia against the will of the Belarusian people.” 

Rep. Kaptur said, “As a longtime supporter of liberty in Central and Eastern Europe, I am pleased to co-lead this bill to demonstrate resolute bipartisan support for the Belarusian people against the tyranny of the Lukashenko regime. This measure will provide for robust sanctions against human rights offenders, and hopefully pave a path toward new elections and peaceful transitions of power. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to boost U.S. assistance for Belarusian civil society through upcoming spending bills. 

Rep. Kinzinger said, “I’m proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation that formally condemns the fraudulent August election in Belarus and shows strong U.S. support for the sovereignty of the Belarusian people. We stand with the freedom-loving people around the world, especially those who are oppressed. Our legislation calls for the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators to end, for all those who have been unjustly detained to be released, and for a transparent and fair electoral process. With foreign assistance parameters and coordination with our European partners, our efforts here can help ensure the voices of the Belarusian people will be heard.” 

Rep. Keating said, “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to affirm our continued support for Belarusians working tirelessly towards democracy,” said Congressman Bill Keating, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment. “Their asks are simple. Belarusians want a government that is accountable to the people, that adheres to the rule of law, that respects their human rights, and that conducts itself in accordance with not just European, but global standards and norms. We must pass this legislation to show the Belarusian people that we hear their calls for democracy and justice, and that America stands beside them.”

The captive nations isn’t an antiquated, cold-war concept that arose because of Moscow’s subjugation of nations near and far. Fortunately, the United States recognized Russia’s threat against the free world and memorialized the plight and fight of captive nations of Russian subjugation in the historic 1959 Captive Nations Week Proclamation. See the Summer 2020 edition of The Ukrainian Quarterly for an analysis of this document and idea.

Russia, which lost its Soviet-Communist stripes but maintains its imperial-belligerent policies, continues to threaten the free world under the false illusion that its playground includes both near and far countries. Russian-inspired wars rage in nearby Ukraine and the distant Middle East. Belarus, where freedom and democracy is under siege, is closer to Moscow.

This vital legislation reaffirms for the Belarusian people, the free world as well as Putin and Lukashenko that the United States hasn’t abandoned its righteous mission for standing up in defense of the oppressed a persecuted nations.

What a Difference 66 Years Makes

Imagine the mid-1950s in Kyiv, Ukraine. Some 10 years after the end of World War II. Most of the inhabitants of the capital of Ukraine by far actually spoke the native, national language. Usage of the language of the oppressor was in the minority.

According to the publication Ukrainian People of June 2020, Kyivites demonstrated a high degree of national pride in their language of choice. The editors came across this significant fact of Ukrainian life in previously classified research prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency on September 28, 1954.

“About 80% of the inhabitants of Kyiv use Ukrainian in their conversations. The other 20% use Russian or one of the other languages common to the USSR. Political subjects are never discussed with strangers on a train or elsewhere,” the CIA concluded.

The Kremlin couldn’t tolerate this pro-Ukrainian situation in its biggest captive nation. In 66 years, Moscow saw to it that the tables were turned to overwhelming favor Russian not only in Kyiv but also across the country. Repression, arrests, imprisonment, threats, deprecation, favoritism, resettlement and even murder significantly reduced the number of people in Kyiv who spoke or dared to speak the native language.

That’s why the new law on Ukrainian language usage adopted by the Verkhovna Rada is supremely important for preserving the Ukrainian nation, which cannot exist without its national language, the embodiment of what it means to be a Ukrainian.

Prof. Larysa Masenko of the National University of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, in the current edition of The Ukrainian Quarterly, correctly observes “In Ukraine, with a population of almost 40 million, the demographic power of the Ukrainian language, which is determined by the number of native speakers, should be equal to the power of the Polish language in Poland. However, the language situation in Ukraine is significantly different from the Polish one. The reason for this is the significant level of Russification and Sovietization of the mass consciousness of the Ukrainian people, realized during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire in both its forms – autocratic/tsarist and Communist.”

All segments of Ukraine – government, churches, hierarchs and clergy, educators, industry, media, civil society and people – must take active and proactive steps to preserve the Ukrainian language as the official, national, state language of Ukraine. This law and behavior don’t forbid or denigrate other languages or cultures. Speak Polish, Russian, Yiddish/Hebrew, etc., but also speak Ukrainian because by solely focusing on Russian, you support the persecutor of all non-Russians.

How is it in the United States and Canada? English is the language of both countries but other languages are not forbidden. They are even encouraged. Ukrainians in both countries may speak the language of their heritage. Russia is not so magnanimous to encourage Ukrainian language usage in Moscow.

One major negative pro-Russian influence on the people’s choice of language is contemporary slang. Ukrainian language usage, especially among youth – even the young people who were born in independent Ukraine – is polluted by Russian slang that has no basis in the Ukrainian culture and heritage. Pro-Ukrainian creativity is needed to overcome this trend.

Masenko also suggests: “The success of the film industry was especially impressive. In five years, the film market has been filled with a variety of Ukrainian films that have brought talented directors, screenwriters, cameramen and actors out of the shadows. National film production turned out to be quite competitive, our films began to win awards at prestigious international festivals.

“The popularization of historical events, national heroes, folk traditions, the reproduction in films of modern events from their own, Ukrainian point of view contributed to increasing the prestige of the Ukrainian language and had a positive impact on the language situation. Groups of young people who speak Ukrainian to each other are already appearing in Kyiv, and more and more Russian-speaking Kyivans are willing to switch to it in communication with its speakers.”

Now the fight for the Ukrainian language continues on the streets where it must also prevail.

Poland & Estonia Add to Roster of Ukraine Comments at @UN75

The leaders of Poland and Estonia added their voices to the roster of UN member-states that raised the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine in their addresses this week during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.

Noting the importance of quality relations among states, Polish President Andrzej Duda, stated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine shows disrespect for international law.

“There cannot and there will not be a lasting peace in the world unless law is abided by. Our attachment to this value is mirrored by the slogan ‘peace through law,’ which we promoted inter alia during our two-year-long term as an elected member state of the Security Council. In our actions undertaken in the UN forum we are consistent in highlighting the fundamental role of international law in preserving the global security architecture. It is indispensable to ensure cooperation among states in a situation when the fundamental norms of international law are violated, for instance in case of the aggression of the Russian Federation on Georgia or Ukraine,” Duda said.

Turning to the parallel crisis in Belarus also inspired by Russia, Duda said he has appealed to the international community through the UN Human Rights Council to pay attention to the violation of humans rights in that country.

“In the name of Solidarity we should all speak with one voice and demand that fundamental human rights be respected both in Belarus and in other places across the globe. Repressions of political opponents, mass detentions of peaceful protesters or violence and torture being applied against them cannot be tolerated in any state. Belarusians, just like any other free nation, have the right to shape their political future in a sovereign way, without external interference, without domination of other capitals, with the right to freely participate in international cooperation in line with their national interests,” he said.

President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid, in her remarks, said “As we tackle the global pandemic, conventional and unconventional threats have not disappeared. The world around us is as unpredictable and unsecure as it was before. Take the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Syria. Or the conflict in Sahel and the recent devastating disaster in Lebanon. As well as the grave human rights violations in Belarus.

“Overall, the pandemic has even reinforced some of the consequences of conflicts, for example the health and well-being of the most vulnerable – the children, women and adolescents. The pandemic has been used as a pretext to lift sanctions or restrict humanitarian aid. New divisions have emerged. This, my friends, is unacceptable.”