Little to Celebrate
The truth is we have failed Ukraine and ourselves
(Ukrainian military cemetery in Kharkiv [Getty Images])
Four years ago, Russian armour roared into Ukraine, aiming to smash the country and conquer its capital. For four years, Ukrainians have fought and died, defeating Moscow’s diabolical plan to destroy them. After four years, allies are still not giving Ukraine what it needs to win a decisive victory.
Yesterday many world leaders shared the spotlight with Ukraine. Many have done a lot to help. The Nordic and Baltic countries continue to make outstanding commitments. The European Union, led by its commission, have stepped into the breach when NATO and the US would not.
Yet there is little to celebrate. Appeasement and complacency prevail. NATO, still bruised by its humiliation in Afghanistan, claims to be ‘standing with Ukraine’. But it does not stop the bombs that rain down on Ukrainian heads every night.
NATO was formed to deter and defeat Russia. It did nothing to stop Soviet tanks from crushing uprisings in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968. Now it is idle on Ukraine because the US and Hungary under Orban are Russian touts.
Yesterday the General Assembly adopted a resolution on ‘support for lasting peace in Ukraine.’ It called for an immediate ceasefire and “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.”
The United States abstained. Last year it voted against a similar resolution. Unbelievably, this year it moved an amendment to drop references to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, claiming these were ‘inhibiting the peace process’.
