The unfortunate campaign or Special Operation began on 24th February to “Clear” Ukraine of So Called Neo Nazis and druggists. And now the fourth week has begun, with hardly any sign of reduction in unwanted shelling, bombing, killing and surrounding main cities. But no Intent of capturing per se.
A former World Boxing champion of Ukraine has called it not only destroying structures but destroying the whole country.
With drastically restricted or no food ,water, electricity and gas in urban areas (think about sanitation), the British Prime Minister has the audacity to say “We should not have tolerated Russia’s act of annexation of Crimea in 2014.”
And perhaps after feeling so, he is visiting Middle East in the same way as the Israeli PM has done in the immediate past or Chinese President may visit Saudi Arabia in the future, ostensibly sensing the latter’s present distance from the United States. Approaches are changing or is a course correction likely?
Will America’s loss be a gain for China when she is opening its card vis-a-vis Russia?
The present status quo in Ukraine looks to continue for the time being due to strong determination of Ukrainians, supported by the latest weapons (17,000 anti-tank devices) from Sweden, Germany, Spain etc. But it is the US made Javelin missile, launched from shoulder, that has become the weapon of choice.
How long will the tactics to inflict mass casualty, rather than winning a territory continue?
In the name of humanity, while the UN and its organs are maintaining silence after a few initial futile attempts, the International Court of Justice, has now asked Russia to cease immediately its “Special Military Operations”.
The Council of Europe, the continent’s foremost human rights body too has expelled Russia but the 47-member UN Human Rights Commission has also kept quiet so far.
Incidentally, both Russia and Ukraine happen to be its members. All members are supposed to abide by the Declaration of Human Rights signed in Paris on 10 December, 1948, also observed as Human Rights Day.
Under the present state of insecurity, it would have been Herculean to gather the lawmakers in Ukraine Parliament building. They succeeded, sang the national anthem and restrengthened their resolve.
President Zelenskyy with his new look, also went to address the US and German Parliaments virtually, having done so earlier before the Canadian and British Parliaments.
Receiving a standing ovation, he reiterated his call for a no fly zone over Ukraine and much tougher sanctions against Russia. The US President obliged by acceding to $1 billion aid, in addition to explosive drones. Also he seems to have pleased President Biden by declaring him as the “leader of the world and of peace”.
Zelenskyy’s political comedy titled, ‘Servants of People’, is also back on Netflix in the US. It starred him as a teacher who becomes President of Ukraine after a video of him, complaining of corruption, went viral.
Hasn’t a dream turned into reality?
Prime Ministers of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia, all members of EU and NATO paying a visit to Kyiv to express their solidarity is a confidence boosting measure.
Also a matter of caution and interest will be Chinese President’s visit to Riyadh. America’s loss may be China’s gain, the latter having already got a foothold in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka earlier.
As for India’s stand, having fulfilled her commitment of evacuation of over 22,000 nationals, India, while maintaining a neutral stand and with a view to minimise the effect of the war on the economy, has gone ahead to order more than 3 million barrels of Russian crude oil, by negotiating a “deep” discount of US$ 20 to US$ 25 a barrel.
On the wheat, fertiliser and sunflower oil front, however, the impact of the war is being felt, as Russia and Ukraine both are leading exporters.
Even when plight of citizens is pathetic in the areas under siege, in terms of supply of food, water, electricity and gas, European countries continue to get supplies of Russian gas.
The calculation of exact number of soldiers who have succumbed on both the sides, may not be easy, but President Putin’s grim face and designs appear to show now some signs of compromise.
Pain and misery of the defiant Ukrainians must come to an end, together with the reckless bombing of hospitals and residential areas.
Also good sense should prevail in regard to the further degradation of the environment and ensuring nuclear security.
In immediate future, more anti tank devices may arrive with more explosive drones, but the life of the average Ukrainian may continue to be grim and sad for the sake of someone else’s ego. He has to face the actual battle, not the instigators or the sympathisers.