IS RUSSIA NOT ACTING LIKE BARBARIANS? - The Daily Statesman Newspaper

The whole world is troubled by Russians invasion of Ukraine in view of the global implication of that untenable adventure.

Close to 40 years ago, Russia, having lost credibility as strong state and economy, existing only on pride and propaganda, began to collapse as several of its states, which had been forced into one monolithic superpower, gradually disintegrated.

Ukraine was about the last state that Russia had held on to, till Ukraine, with a ragtag army, as compared to Almighty Russia, escaped with the skin of the teeth.

It appears, however, that Russia has never slept since it technically lost the battle to Ukraine, now a thriving state which is attracting migrants because of its abundant economic opportunities – perhaps the reason why former USSR KGB Chief Putin is unwilling, like a Pharaoh, to let Ukraine go.

Putin’s intentions had been well-read by European intelligence, though he had often lied to the world about his real intentions.

USSR tradition

For some strange reason, the USSR has since the late 40s into the 50s been doing everything possible building armaments instead of an economy that would partner other developed nations to contribute to redeeming the poor.

It had lied about everything, including the quality of its education, the strength of its economy, commodities they trade in at international level and weapons they ship to poor states as barter for raw materials.

Worse still, any reminder of their relationship with countries in the sub-region, like Ghana, was tons of literature that was purely propaganda and made little sense to anybody interested in a well-rounded education.

In the harsh times of the 1980s, when they pretended to be friends of Ghana, all they did was to give an empty lecture to a team of PNDC members seeking economic support to re-ignite the economy. In the end, Ghana had to go to the World Bank, seen then by the PNDC junta as capitalists.

Public opinion

Since the First and Second World Wars and the Vietnam War, nations crossing their borders to attack others have been seen as barbaric. Unfortunately, Russia appears to have had a hand in most conflicts in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, though when it comes to trade or development partnerships, it is an island on its own, in spite of its touted economic strength and abundant resources.

There’s a major reason why the whole world is worried about the massing up of troops and armaments along the border with Ukraine, and that is the refugee situation they would be causing in the whole of Europe and its economic and epidemic fallout.

As media reports say, as Russian air strikes hit Ukraine, many have left Kyiv for the countryside or the border with the European Union.

Traffic jams clogged the roads out of some cities, and some walked on foot into Poland and Hungary, with a UN refugee chief warning that “humanitarian consequences on civilian populations will be devastating”.

We also have Ukraine’s European neighbours say they are ready to receive refugees fleeing the country of 44 million people – one of the most populous in Europe. That also means Europe should be preparing hospitals for an influx of wounded Ukrainians, and setting up reception points for refugees along its border.

Good conscience

With the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening the whole of Europe, it is imperative that Russia allows good conscience and humanitarian concerns to restrain it from engaging in this act of political lunacy.

European allies have warned belligerent Russia that it is treading dangerous waters. This is because a fight like the one they are engaged in is unwinnable.

Even that should be huge headache for the whole of Europe as Western airlines are completely avoiding the country’s airspace, and Kyiv’s international airport was reportedly one of the first targets of Russian strikes.

Russia must feel for the ordinary people who would be caught in this battle for nothing except the empty pride of long-extinct political dinosaurs whose relevance has been as questionable from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s till now.