Delhi, First Published Feb 23, 2022, 4:56 PM IST
The situation was exacerbated yesterday when Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two rebel forces influencing Ukraine’s border, recognizing them as independent republics and deploying Russian troops to the area. At a time when Western powers’ accusations that Russia is escalating tensions in the region are mounting, Dr. Swaran Singh has responded to Asianet News on this issue. To that interview.
What does it mean for Russia to recognize such two Ukrainian rebel territories?
Russia recognizes the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. This means that they are not yet under Kiev’s control. Now the Russian army is going to send peacekeepers to these places. And to establish Russian military control over them. The possibility of Russia invading more Ukrainian territory in the name of these two regions still remains. It is unlikely that the Russian army will retreat anytime soon. Thus are the Transnistria region of Moldova and Crimea, which have previously been occupied by Russian peacekeepers. The army has not yet vacated the area.
Kiev had time to negotiate with the rebels and abide by the Minsk Agreement and its protocols, but they did not do so at the time. The move sees the establishment of the Russian government’s policy of creating buffer zones between themselves and NATO forces.
NATO is paying close attention to this. Since 2008, they have been trying to get Ukraine to join NATO. There is also speculation that the situation in Berlin during the Cold War may be similar to that in Ukraine. The city of Kiev separates one-third of what is now eastern Ukraine from the rest of British-influenced western Ukraine.
The possibility of going to the extreme and doing so until the occupation of Ukraine remains in the midst of these moves. There are a thousand Russian soldiers in Moldova. Two-thirds now have 1,000 soldiers on their home page in the eastern part of Belarus, and more than 30,000 troops in southwestern Belarus. And so on. Britain has now landed with a deployment around the Arabian Sea.
The villain or the victim is Ukraine?
Ukraine is ultimately a victim. At the instigation of NATO, the country is now experiencing the consequences of such a move to change the existing political system and bring regarding a free democracy, market liberalization and free investment.
It is completely surrounded by Russia. NATO recently moved its licensing office from Kiev to Brussels. They are even considering transferring President Selensky from Kiev to Laos.
The United States has already imposed a number of sanctions on Russian-controlled areas. That includes a ban on investments and a ban on trade. What other sanctions can be expected from the United States?
The fact is that Russia is probably completely out of control of the global economy. Alternatively, many Russian-affiliated companies may be isolated and banned from traveling, moving and trading alone. But Putin is anticipating such a move. Russia has perhaps the world’s largest foreign exchange reserve, with $ 630 billion in assets. Therefore, Putin can even stick to sanctions if he wants to.
What is the role of the European people in the Russia-Ukraine issue?
America’s arguments do not seem to be costly before the Europeans. The German Chancellor has even said that Ukraine should not be given arms. The French president and German chancellor have visited Kiev several times. They have repeatedly held talks with Putin. Now that Germany has completed the $ 11 billion Nord Stream natural gas pipeline, they will certainly try not to deny themselves the benefits of that investment. Therefore, it is safe to say that Europeans are less likely to respond favorably to US intrigues.
Last Updated Feb 23, 2022, 4:57 PM IST
