Putin had the following to say about U.S. behavior in the international system:
"We are often told our actions are illegitimate, but when I ask, 'Do you think everything you do is legitimate?' they say 'yes'. Then, I have to recall the actions of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, where they either acted without any UN sanctions or completely distorted the content of such resolutions, as was the case with Libya. There, as you may know, the resolution only spoke of closing the airspace for government aircraft, while it all ended with bomb attacks and special forces land operations. | Our partners, especially in the United Sates, always clearly formulate their own geopolitical and state interests and follow them with persistence. Then, using the principle 'You're either with us or against us' they draw the whole world in. And those who do not join in get 'beaten' until they do."The U.S. might have had more legitimacy in this Ukrainian crisis if they were not always butting their heads into other nation's business, disobeying international law and redefining UN resolutions to suit their interests. Does this give Russia the right to do same? Emphatically No!
Strategic InterestsThat said, the West cannot waltz into Russia's backyard and expect the Kremlin to pretend as if they do not see the West trying to set up a puppet regime in Ukraine which has been a long-standing trading partner of Russia, a consumer of energy supplies from Russia, and the trade route for Russian gas to the rest of Europe. Half of Ukraine's gas needs are supplied by Russian state-owned Gazprom.
The U.S. is the world's largest producer of natural gas followed by Russia which incidentally has monopoly over almost 20 percent of gas reserves in the world. If the U.S. sets up a puppet regime in Ukraine, it would mean the loss of a strategic economic and political advantage for Russia to the U.S. and E.U. Not only will Russia lose Ukraine's business, it will lose the gateway through which it supplies gas to the rest of Europe. Even worse for the Kremlin is the prospect, that if the U.S. or E.U. gains control over Ukraine, they would increase their military presence on Russia's periphery.
Russia is protecting its strategic geopolitical and economic interests. Even so, that does not warrant the breaching of another nation's territorial sovereignty although the talk of sovereignty is now in question since the parliament of Crimea has voted 78-0 with eight abstentions in favor of holding a referendum and joining Russia.
The U.S. should respect Russia's economic and political historical ties to Ukraine and also Crimea's wishes even if it chooses Russia. Any attempt to usurp these ties could lead to full scale military retribution from Russia of which the casualties will unfortunately be the ordinary citizens of Ukraine, not U.S., Western or Russian citizens. Ukraine's top three potential leaders Arseniy Yatseniuk, Vitaly Klitschko and Oleh Tyahnibok should consider this fact when in private negotiations with diplomats from the U.S., E.U., or Russia. The welfare of Ukrainians should be prioritized.
ConclusionIn conclusion, as succinctly captured by the Indo-Pacific Institute, nobody (U.S., E.U., Russia, Ukraine) showed patience and maturity in Ukraine's political power struggle. Everybody was in hurry for position and influence. The result is Crimea is the causality along with all other ordinary Ukrainians.
Ukrainians should determine their future through constitutional means, via democratic mechanisms such as referendums, elections etc. Free and fair elections should be held under the supervision of observers from all sides--including the United Nations.
This is in agreement with the U.S. government rhetoric, which says ultimately it's up to Ukrainians to determine their future. Vladimir Putin has made similar remarks in a meeting with the press where he stated, "[Ukrainian] people should have the right to determine their own future, that of their families and of their region, and to have equal participation in it." For Ukrainians to secure this right, it will take a lot of determination.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after having witnessed in person Ghana's independence preached a sermon entitled, 'The Birth of a New Nation'. In this sermon, he said, --the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed. You have to work for it...persistently, revolting against the system... Freedom is never given to anybody. For the oppressor has you in domination because he plans to keep you there, and he never voluntarily gives it up. And that is where the strong resistance comes. Privileged classes never give up their privileges without strong resistance".
Ukrainians are yet to taste this on an international level. The buck really does stop with Ukrainians--whether they are willing to walk the long road to freedom or opt for the path of least resistance. Their leaders can secure their future or sell it in exchange for a mess of pottage.(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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