RUSSIA’S UKRAINE INVASION

I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. The truth is that the devastating humanitarian and refugee crisis that is resulting from what can be possibly termed as a war and an attack from Russia to Ukraine, we become disheartened especially for the International / Global / World leaders’ desires and relentless efforts for diplomacy and dialogues. The hypocrisy of the Russia attack upon Ukraine, who claimed it has vested interests within Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, is that those are also the very people who are being killed, displaced, livelihoods and land destroyed. But we can all assume that the conflict and war-torn response from Russia originating from an act of aggression, to protect Russian interests, are associated with Natural Gas Supply.

The Russia-Ukraine Gas war was predicted as one of the next wars, as per scholars (Pifer, 2009). But we can also say that this war and present actions are directly tied to Russia’s relations with Venezuela. As per sanctions of 2017-2019 that limited Russian trade with Venezuela (Galbraith, 2018), in particular foreign dealings with Petroles de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Ukraine-Russia war could also be a Russian tactic, as energy supply, trade, and foreign dealings with Venezuela were cut-off. While I am deeply aware of the cost of sanctions from a humanitarian perspective in Venezuela (Galbraith, 2018; Jerman, 2018), we could also argue and say: Where was President Vladimir Putin when Venezuela needed your help? And if Russia now has its eyes set on Venezuela once more, it should be viewed as a mirage, or a type of dream, a longing for the past??

The Venezuelan People deserve a leader and democracy that will take care of its resources and people, with the right leaders and partnerships. In terms of Russian sanctions as a response to the Ukraine military action, I think that some form of control as a counter-measure is needed, and praise the United States of America (USA) leadership, United Nations, European Union, Global community who supported this measure, as a form of hard power diplomacy, to ultimately prevent war-torn actions as much as possible. The aim of-course is to try to weaken President Putin, access to resource capabilities, but then again the same was also done to the Maduro Regime, where assets were also frozen. I also think that Ukraine was also feeling at odds with NATO  North Atlantic Treaty Organization, given that Ukraine is not a member of NATO, and feels neither here or there.

It is also important to know that the Ukrainian people may suffer given that Ukraine – Kiev / Kyiv was no longer able to pay for its National Gas Supply from Russia. We could argue why EU countries didn’t help Ukraine pay for its energy costs, or if Ukraine tired to reach-out to any countries for assistance to prevent Russian military invasion? U.S. policy advisors recommended Washington leadership to advise Kiev / Kyiv (Capital city of Ukraine) to effectively manage its energy, and to even consider energy reform. And essentially allow EU European Union leaders to take direct responsibility to manage the growing crisis (Pifer, 2009).

1. The New York Times | Why aren’t the U.S. and its allies imposing tougher sanctions? 
2. The New York Times | The Morning: Putin vs. democracy

Whilst U.S. policy advisors / scholars predicted such a crisis (2009), the actual direct involvement in war that would incur American loss of life is something that should be thought about very carefully. Especially to critically reflect from the Afghanistan mission, America’s troops and loss of life. In these times of World / Global insecurity it is also a time where a nations leaders must try its best to put political party differences / views / opinions to the side, to focus directly upon the best common interest for nation. Similar to the strong bonds formed by love. For instance: A man and woman who are united as one in flesh and spirit. One Nation Under God. God Bless You and God Bless America!

During this fragile time I pray for all who are directly and indirectly affected by the war-torn actions and response that have created a sense of deep insecurity for Ukrainians, Russians, and surrounding regions. I pray that there is minimal harm to life and the situation is resolved. I continue to pray that there are real solutions for the Global / International refugee crisis, the additional layers of crisis that have been created from the Coronavirus health pandemic, the lives lost, including the psychological impact, mental health and well-being.

catholicphilly.com | ‘With a heart broken,’ pope prays for peace in Ukraine

Notes |

• Patriotic Allegiance | These are special powers for Presidents during a time of war to demand Patriotic allegiance to a nation (Ivanov, 2020).
• Sanctions | Sanctions are usually utilized to address national security threats to achieve a desired affect. Especially to aim to change the targets decision, a coercive strategy. Sanctions are an alternative to weapons and diplomacy, and termed as a form of hard power, for the reversal and stopping of certain behavior / decision. In this context the situation of Russia and Ukraine (Galbraith, 2018; Jerman, 2018).
• Ukraine officially declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Updates |

• As a response from the imposed sanctions, Russia’s President Vladimir the military command to put the country’s nuclear deterrence forces on high-alert.
• The European Union (EU) announced they will shut-down the EU air Space for any Russian owned, controlled and registered air-craft.
• The EU will provide military aid to support Ukraine-Kiev / Kyiv.

Further Reading |

1. SFGATE | EXPLAINER: What is the Russia-Europe Nord Stream 2 pipeline?
2. New York Post: Biden slaps sanctions on Nord Stream 2 pipeline firm months after waiver
3. The Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) | Crisis Between Ukraine and Russia
4. telesurHD | NATO’s Encirclement of Russia Threatens Peace, Warns Venezuela

References |

• Galbraith, J. (2018). United States Imposes Broad Economic Sanctions on Venezuela After Constitutional Crisis. The American Journal of International Law, 112(1), 103–106. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26568930
• Jerman, J. (2018). Economic and Financial Sanctions in U.S. National Security Strategy. PRISM, 7 (4), 64-73.
• Ivanov, I. (2020). Reshaping U.S. Smart Power: Towards a Post-Pandemic Security Architecture. Journal of Strategic Security, 13(3), 46–74. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26936545
• Pifer, S. (2009). Crisis Between Ukraine and Russia. Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). http://www.jstor.org/stable/

Related Blog Posts |

1. UKRAINE-RUSSIA CRISIS
2. OBSERVING MLK DAY.
3. MAKING THE CASE.
4. CHAPTER 15 | SUMMARY!
5. REFLECTION | VALENTINE’S DAY!
6. BIDEN | PUTIN SUMMIT.

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Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on February 27th 2021. All views and opinions are my own and referenced as per required. As the situation is evolving there are probably more updates from the time of writing and publishing this blog post.

With Love & Kindness! 🇺🇸🌹