Ukraine war, 23rd day!

President Zelenskyy’s defending of Ukraine against the Russian invasion is commendable. The EU is considering proposing his name of the peace award, and I guess Nobel! For 22 days, Russia has been pounding Ukraine from one end to the other of the nation, pulverising its infrastructure and other assets. Though it is praiseworthy of the three-week resistance, the Ukraine President must redraw his strategy soon to avoid further damages and loss of lives.

The number of those who have fled Ukraine is over 3.2 million, and the exodus is on. The dimension of the misery of the displaced humans is greater and will impact the country’s rebuild. The war and the resistance may give a reason for nations to give refuge, but their cost may not be affordable for most of the east European nations struggling to revive a Covid pandemic.

The demonised Russian President is onto a total capture of Ukraine, and in the 23 days, no other countries, including NATO nations, have directly entered the war. This is the moment of realisation for Zelensky, acting deeply wounded and invoking sympathies of various governments like the U.S. and Germany. His job as the leader of a nation is to safeguard the lives of his citizens and avoid the destruction of his country like his defending his nation. Sadly, he still seems to believe the nudge and egging by others to go on with the war. I wonder why?

Merely sending money and relief materials will not ensure the success of Ukraine against a mighty Russia. Putin might have entered the battle after reaching a tacit understanding with the Chinese, evident from U.S. President Biden’s repeated warning to China. It may not be Russia, but the fear of China entering the war seems the deterrent in keeping the West at bay.

India may be forced to have a showdown with China, sooner or later over Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. India’s balancing act so far is understandable. Russia has been India’s committed friend before and after the Soviet era, whereas the U.S. has been driven by their welfare alone. I cannot forget the U.S. Seventh fleet, encircling the Bay of Bengal and ready to attack India during the Indo-Pak war 1971, which was thwarted by the timely arrival of the Soviet nuclear submarines. The consequences, otherwise, might have redrawn our borders and rewritten our history.

The U.S. and the West monopolise the arms industry and must ensure some wars to keep their profits. It will be difficult for me to believe that Ukraine people, sharing Russian culture and many speaking the language, will be warring with the Russians had the Western politicians and warmongers not provoked the inexperienced President.

A biased media blares about hospitals and schools being bombed. There is a raging war. If soldiers take refuge in hospitals, the facility will come under attack. These are pricey collaterals and sadly cannot be avoided. However, that does not mean that I have justified the action of Putin and his relentless onslaught.

The war will end soon; I pray it does, and the nation’s rebuilding will also begin. The world has been giving Nobel peace prizes to many U.S. Presidents who were at war with many nations during their tenures. Unless the world destroys all its stockpiled nuclear, thermonuclear and bioweapons, it will never be a safe place to live.

India must keep its vigil.

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix