The West should keep the bulk of its sanctions in place and maintain its military preparedness “until the Kremlin respects the rights of its people, and of those in other countries”, writes Russia’s former foreign minister in a guest essay
of Ukraine’s resistance and the amount of Western support it receives will determine how Vladimir Putin’s war there ends. Negotiations should be left to Ukraine and Russia, without Western interference. Discussion should also commence on what post-war Europe will be like. One of my country’s, and indeed the world’s, great writers, Leo Tolstoy, believed that nations with higher moral resolve win in war. And so they do in peace.
Ukraine’s courageous fighting boosts its national identity and international standing. Volodymyr Zelensky has emerged as a great war leader. But that is no reason for complacency. Ukraine is not in theat this tragic hour in part because it could not meet Western standards on law and order and on anti-corruption measures. It should make a greater effort to reform after the war in order to open Europe’s doors.
The prospect of a westernising, democratic and prosperous Ukraine is the nightmare of the Putin regime because it will be a powerful motivation for Russians to follow suit. In order to change, however, the country must be recognised for what it is—a nation under a belligerent and ruthless dictatorship—and treated by the West accordingly.
America and its allies at last imposed tough sanctions on Russia in recent weeks because it again violated the civilised norms of behaviour in Ukraine. Yet useful idiots or pseudo-experts on Russia who hold sympathies for autocratic leaders, such as Tucker Carlson on Fox News, are pushing for a prompt return to business as usual with Russia and its oligarchs. If they succeed, the sacrifices of Ukrainians and the discomfort of Western taxpayers will have been for nothing.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EU leaders warn countries not to skirt Russia sanctions🔴 EU leaders warn countries not to try and get around Russia sanctions
Read more »
Snake Island sailors freed as Ukraine and Russia conduct prisoner exchangeNot immediately clear whether Ukrainian troops stationed on ‘Zmiyyny’ were among freed captives
Read more »
Zelensky urges EU to do more against Russia as leaders debate energy curbs\n\t\t\tKeep abreast of significant corporate, financial and political developments around the world.\n\t\t\tStay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert\n\t\t\tcommentary and analysis you can trust.\n\t\t
Read more »
Russia reasserts right to use nuclear weapons in UkraineSenior politician Dmitry Medvedev says Moscow’s nuclear doctrine does not require enemy state to use such weapons first
Read more »
Russia facing fresh humiliation in Ukraine as up to 60 percent of missiles failing to fireRUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin is facing humiliation in Ukraine as experts claim over half of his missiles have failed to fire.
Read more »