Letter: History is repeating itself before our eyes

By Letter to the Editor on March 2, 2022.

Dear editor,

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign nation, without provocation has the professional analysts writing overtime. The numerous opinions are varied and diverse, which is to be expected. These personal comments are uncomplicated and with reason.

This aggression is mainly President Vladimir Putin’s endeavour to fulfil his delusions of grandeur to be the 21st century Russian czar to rebuild the now defunct Soviet Union. The subjugation of Ukraine and its citizens once more to Moscow would be a tremendous leap for this dream. Ukraine is the second largest country territorially in Europe, it has some 44 million people and it is rich in agriculture and mining.

This ambition started with the annexation of Crimea on the Black Sea. Then Russian-sympathizers in Eastern Ukraine [Donbas] were armed to start their civil war for independence for nearly 10 years. Of course, Russia had other motives.

Eastern Ukraine has large reserves of natural gas which were beginning to be developed with foreign interests. Ukraine would become self-reliant and also an exporter to other European countries. Russia does not want Ukraine’s competition. Would the European countries be more willing to deal with Ukraine than with Putin?

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 is telling about the relationship between Russia and the republics. Nearly all the republics declared independence and they sprinted to align with western Europe. They joined the European Union and NATO. Evidently they wanted considerable distance from Russia and its autocratic ways.

Ukraine had the third-largest arsenal of nuclear weapons at the time of the collapse. Ukraine signed the Budapest Manifesto in 1994 with the nuclear powers to disarm on condition, that its borders at that time would be respected and honoured. Evidently this agreement has had little importance to Putin.

It is interesting that Ukraine has received international recognition, but under better circumstances would have been preferred. Considerable foreign aid is currently provided, sanctions are imposed on Russia, but Russian aggression has not been deterred. The international opposition to Putin is remarkable, but Ukraine still fights on its own.

Whatever progress has been made in the last 30 years will probably be lost again. History is repeating itself. What will follow for these people and their country, a concern and wonder?

Larry Samcoe

Medicine Hat

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