What Ukraine & The West Must Do Now While Russia seems to be feeling the heat from sanctions, at the same time it is going even deeper invading eastern Ukraine. Bewildering but fact. It has now passed time for the west to take this seriously, deadly seriously; and hopefully the west immediately follows Lithuanias brave example to develop supplylines for much needed lethal and non-lethal aid to embattled Ukraine. This can and should be measured, based on de-escalation or escalation by Russia; but the commitment needs to come immediately, strongly, loudly- and certain categories of assistance need to be pushed out the door as soon as possible. The principle theater of Donbas should see a 10 kilometer safety buffer created going east from a line defined by cities of Donetsk, Horlivka and Lugansk, and then from the Russian border going west 10 kilometers to create a oval with the end open for retreating Russians as they choose (after hopefully agreeing to the terms being applied). This should be detailed, along with the formal case against Russia, to the entire UN General Assembly- seeking a membership vote on adoption, and once again hoping Russia ultimately supports such a clearing operation to end this conflict. With western support and plenty of diplomacy and telegraphing/time, the west and Ukraine simply announce to Russia and world what the response WILL BE on sovereign Ukraine territory if the separatist continue in their deadly manner. After such they then begin to retake the territory if required with as minimal loss of life as possible. The stalemated frozen conflict is simply unacceptable, and the window of tolerance here has passed. There is no need to increase sanctions again at present. Let the next round occur after Russia is shown there is determination from the west to not allow the direct aggressions in Ukraine to continue. Clarify with one voice, a unified west is simply helping Ukraine defend itself. There should be NO firm Ukraine commitments to join either NATO or the EU, nor should there be any formal prohibition from such. Work out agreements with any body it chooses, including Russia if possible. Ukraines future is for Ukraine and the appropriate bodies to decide at such time it is required, or not required- again based on the actions of Russia. NATO can easily declare that Ukraine assistance is a one off event in which the territorial sovereignty of Europe proper has been placed at risk. Keep NATO counselors flowing into Ukraine as they ask until this is resolved. Give Ukraine the means and they will fight their own fights. Russia doesnt seek to occupy Ukraine- they know it would be a impossible situation. They are caught in trap of their own making sadly. They can change this too if they choose. Russia should be made very aware they are indeed acting as a threat to Europe and are therefore Europe and NATO are bound to respond. Europe seeks to resolve this and is ready to talk at any time, but for such to bear fruit Russia must abandon its deadly follies. If Russia wants others to give them free global access culturally, economically and otherwise, they must reciprocate at home in Russia. They are not- once again just the opposite= say one thing and do another. Russia wants one set of rules for itself and another set of rules for all others. And in the Russian view these rules have got to benefit Russia alone. That is no way to end a conflict, and this really is the fundamental rub. They want no rules- they like force, theft and bribery. When one sweeps away all the artifice, the real problem here is Russia does not want to adhere to any defined international ruleset or law other than what they interpret law to be. There is a real clash of values here. This is an impossible situation and one that must be resolved if this whole mess is to be resolved. The Russian black hand of economics must end. It can not be allowed to define Europe, even in part; and it can not be allowed to set up summer residence in Crimea either.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:07:20 +0000
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