The war in Ukraine has already claimed 3,000 lives. It is now possible that the Russian President Vladimir Putin may choose to end this conflict in Ukraine that had already cost Russia billions of dollars. A couple of days ago, Mr Putin said that he could take Kiev in a matter of weeks. Now he has proposed a ceasefire followed by a peace plan...  The West is still confused about his intentions. Is he sincere about these proposals? Is he genuine about this truce between Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces? Only time will tell!

When Russian troops openly engaged Ukrainian forces at the end of August, the Kremlin used misinformation, propaganda and outright deceit to frame the debate going on in Europe and in the United States. But Western leaders and journalists kept insisting that harsh aggression was used against Ukraine, and the term ‘Russia invaded Ukraine’ was purely and simply justified.

After the destruction of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, Russia was quick to deny any involvement in this tragedy; however Russian weaponry spearheaded this operation! By the time this tragic event occurred, Russian tanks had already invaded and annexed an important part of Ukraine – Crimea – and from Crimea the insurgency continued its move forward to the Donbass region in the east. And from here the escalation was continued by Mr Putin himself when he sent more Russian troops and equipment...

The Master of Deceit should never be trusted. He muzzled Russia’s free press, exiled and imprisoned opposition leaders, assumed direct control of the mass media and has a powerful domestic propaganda machine to keep him in control. We don’t know yet if the agreed ceasefire will hold or if it is real or just a feint, nor do we know if Ukraine will survive as a viable and independent country. But one thing is certain: Russia has invaded the privacy of a sovereign, democratic state with the use of force and NATO lacks the will to stop this incursion, this “invasion”.

It all happened because Ukraine decided to build a democracy and make a trade deal with Europe. As the Lithuanian president said on Twitter: “Ukraine was attacked because of its European choice, no more and no less. Ukraine is not only defending its territory, but also Europe and its values.”

Who can stop this bully from Moscow? NATO? Obama? Cameron? Merkel?

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara