War, the fifth day!

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters the fifth day, both the warring countries have sat down for talks, the outcome of which both look at with pessimism. Ukraine, now under assault and with the Russian forces encircling Kyiv, has lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear plant. The second nuclear plant Zaporizhzhya also is claimed to be in Russian hands. Russia has immobilized the Ukraine air force and much of the air infrastructure. It will now aim for the seaports Pivdennyi, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Chornomorsk, through which 80% of trade is carried out.

Ukraine, a former Soviet Union constituent, feels betrayed by the U.S. and the European allies. A few hundred million dollars in aid sanctions on Russia is no cure against the relentless bombing that has been going on. It seems that the U.S. and its NATA allies are waiting for a weaker Russia to force a peace accord and enter Ukraine for a profitable infrastructure rebuild in Ukraine at a later period.

One thing is certain; the world is scared of Putin and the 6400 Russian nuclear warheads. Russian President Putin has already sent a chilling warning of not hesitating to respond in the most unimaginable terms to any country arming or militarily aiding Ukraine.

Despite Putin’s warnings, Germany has sent three fighters, Sweden 5000 anti-tank weapons, Turkey- anti-tank drones, the United Kingdom a thousand soldiers and the U.S. unspecified amount of weapons. In retaliation, Putin has prevailed on Belarus to amend its constitution as a non-nuclear nation to install nuclear warheads, bringing Scandinavia, Nordic countries, and Europe on a direct hit range.

Russia has destroyed the internet in Ukraine. But Elon Musk has switched on his satellites to help Ukraine, and Spain is now providing intelligence through its satellite system.

None of these may deter Putin, but something is happening in Ukraine. Despite the U.S. offer of shifting the Ukraine president Zelenskyy to safety outside his war-ravaged nation, Zelenskyy has spurned it with a call, “Give me ammo, not a ride, I’m here to fight even if I’m the last man.” Russia faces formidable resistance from the Ukrainians, much like the Vietnamese against the formidable American forces in the 70s.

Ukraine is sitting with the Russians for finding a solution, which will not materialize. It may not be a surprise to save Ukraine from further damage and loss of lives, the Ukraine president may step down with his government, and Putin installs a puppet government.

The world is watching the war with sadness. The deeper malice is the armed-to-the-teeth superpowers, who can annihilate this planet. Saddening, too, is the reluctance and refusal of the NATO members to militarily intervene in Ukraine, making the naïve and inexperienced politician aggravate the situation leading to the war.

Will the limited battles between two nations lead to a more protracted war involving more and more nations? The thought is dreadful and self-defeating for humanity.

Sampath Kumar

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