February 24, 2022, when Russia introduced hundreds of thousands of troops into Ukraine, marked the beginning of a major geopolitical earthquake. For two years, Europe has lived the harsh reality of the continent’s largest war of aggression since the Second World War, with widespread and horrifying atrocities.
What Russia is doing is a classic example of 19th century-style imperial and colonial aggression. Ukraine is enduring what many other countries have cruelly suffered in the past. For Russia, this war has never had to do with the neutrality of Ukraine, the expansion of NATO, the protection of Russian speakers or any other invented pretext.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine does not exist as a nation and that Ukrainian identity is artificial. War consists only of annihilating an independent country, conquering lands and reestablishing dominion over a people who decided to be masters of their own destiny. Russia’s imperial ambition is certainly familiar to many nations around the world that were previously subject to colonial rule and oppression.
The consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine have been felt far beyond Europe. The war has affected food security and energy prices, and has been accompanied by massive disinformation and political destabilization campaigns. These shock waves have been truly global. Putin is ushering in an increasingly transactional world. He has deployed the Wagner Group in Africa, destabilized other countries through coups and exercised economic coercion through the threat of starvation, offering grain that he himself has made scarce by systematically burning fields in Ukraine, attacking storage infrastructure and blocking important routes. maritime export.
Thus, war and its consequences affect all countries. If Russia prevailed, she would send a very dangerous message that “might makes right.” All the aggressive powers of the world would be tempted to follow in Russia’s footsteps. If aggression is ultimately profitable, why wouldn’t all those who have territorial claims against their neighbors act accordingly? That is why many Asian, African and Latin American countries are interested in Ukraine winning the war.
Ultimately, this war is not about “the West against the rest.” Supporting Ukraine is not being “pro-Western.” It is about rejecting war and terror. It is about defending the principle of international relations based on mutual respect, and supporting the right of Ukrainians to security and freedom. Ukraine and the European Union share a vision of international relations in the 21st century that is exactly the opposite of that of Putin’s Russia. Our vision is based on international law, respect and mutual benefit, rather than coercion, bribery and fear.
No one has more interest than us in quickly ending this war and returning peace to our continent. To achieve this, Ukraine has proposed a ten-point peace formula – which the EU fully supports – which not only provides for the end of hostilities, but also includes proposals to strengthen food security, nuclear security, environmental protection , energy security, international justice, human rights and respect for the Charter of the United Nations.
This formula is the only serious peace proposal on the table, and we ask all countries committed to peace to join us in putting it into practice. Ukraine is currently organizing a World Peace Summit in Switzerland, and the EU actively supports this process. Leaders from around the world will work to agree on a common vision for a just peace in Ukraine based on the United Nations Charter. This consolidated position representing the global majority will then be presented to Russia, leaving it no choice but to commit in good faith.
As the war enters its third year, our message is one of resistance in the face of aggression and terror. We cannot and will not allow aggression to be rewarded in the 21st century; On the contrary, we will mobilize against it. The only way to achieve a just peace is to redouble support for Ukraine. The EU has done exactly that in recent months, and is set to increase aid even further in 2024.
Our common goal is to ensure that Ukraine can turn the tide of the war in its favor so that a just peace can be reached as soon as possible. The world’s support is crucial to achieving this result. It is in all of our interests that international law is respected and that cooperation is the highest priority. There must be no return to the dark past of military aggression, imperialism and colonialism, neither in Europe nor in any other region.
Dmytro Kuleba is Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Josep Borrell is High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024.
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