The many shades of grey in Ukraine
- The West termed Russia’s operations in Crimea as reigniting the cold war era.
- Western commentators opine that overthrowing of President Viktor Yanukovich was a revolution. Russian commentators view it as a fascist coup.
- The new government was authoritative. They denied their citizens the right to speak languages other than Ukrainian. While the law was eventually voted by the prospective President, as 45% of the population speak Russian &non-Ukrainian languages.
- The overthrow of Mr. Yanukovich was master-minded by the 2 neo-fascist parties namely Svoboda & Right Sector who presently occupy 7 ministerial posts, including that of Deputy Prime Minister &national security. Svoboda is a party that traces its roots to a Second World War partisan army allied to the Nazis.
- Russia insists that the forthcoming Crimea’s referendum is an expression of self-determination & democracy. Western commentators condemn it as an illegal vote contrary to international law and the Ukrainian Constitution.
- The break-up of Ukraine could be disastrous, as Muslim Tartars of Crimea fear sectarian violence & ethnic animosities. The poll conducted by Kiev’s independent Razumov Center found that 1/3rd of Crimeans liked Ukraine & 70% wanted closer ties to Russia, compared to 20 per cent who favoured European Union (EU).
- Western powers are always ready to prop up dictators although outwardly proclaiming virtues of democracy.They bestowed favours towards Bahrain when they brutally put down a democratic movement for change.
- The key struggle in Ukraine is not between Russia and the West. The need is to build a liberal democratic society free from corruption and external interference in Ukraine.
Exams Perspective:
- Ukraine crisis
- EU