The news websites of the world are engaged in a race to show us the goriest scenes from the Ukraine, especially the scenes of victims callously killed by the retreating Russian soldiers, some in their cars or even on bicycles, some with their hands tied behind their backs, etc.
We thus focus on the immediate and urge retribution and justice for the victims, as we should. And perhaps more arms for the Ukraine and more sanctions.
But we have to go beyond the immediate and analyse the causes of this conflagration.
Up to 24th February, the day of the invasion, as we can see from innumerable videos on YouTube and other social media, the Ukraine was a country at peace, relatively speaking.
It was a poor country, among the poorest in Europe, as poor as the nearby areas of Russia with an old and decrepit infrastructure, with huge problems as yet half-solved where the rule of law is concerned.
The relics of the old Soviet system were mostly still there with oligarchs crowding around the central power and becoming filthy rich as a consequence.
The Orange Revolution 10 years ago began chipping at this system but had made little headway until a comedian called Zelensky became, unexpectedly, the president. And until Putin sent in the tanks and the soldiers. The rest is history, a story unconcluded so far.
I am continually shocked by scenes from as late as last Christmas. This was a normal people, these are normal families enjoying the season as they had been doing for years and years. Who could tell them that in less than half a year half of them would become exiles and the other half soldiers fighting against the mightiest army on Earth? Who would have told us here in Malta as we celebrated the New Year focused on getting rid of Covid that in less than half a year all our certainties would be swept away by a war so far waged a long way distant from Malta yet affecting our economy, our tourism and practically everything?
Never before has the unpredictability of events been so glaring. Over the past years we have had to face unpredictable events which could undermine our economy – from the world economy which almost crashed in 2008 to the revolution in Libya, still unresolved. Now this invasion of Ukraine with all its as yet unclear ramifications.
There are lessons we need to draw from all these events. I think most Maltese would not want to join in a defence alliance such as Nato, even though Japan itself may become a member. This derives from the non-aligned doctrine of Mintoff’s time which may have been appropriate in the 1970s but maybe dangerous when the world is today dominated by the likes of Putin or the North Korean dictator.
Even so, one would wish to be reassured that our armed forces have the right equipment and training for any eventuality plus that we will be spending 2% of our budget on defence.
Outside that, the events in the Ukraine could also lead us to resurrect the territorial part-time soldiers concept with training included.
Seen from any angle, the behaviour of Russia in all this war is to be condemned by all especially in the light of the massacres at Bucha, Mariupol and now at the train station. We have joined in the EU directives but in total silence. The people would like to get further reassurance that there is no backsliding or that friends of friends are not being exempted.
The greatest silence comes from our authorities, prime minister included, who seem loath to utter one word to condemn this invasion and intrusion in the affairs of a sovereign state. Do unto others what you would want others to do to you.
[email protected]