THE CRAVE FOR WORLD PEACE ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE UKRAINE-RUSSIA CRISIS OF THE MOMENT Written by KEMKA S. IBEJI

It is almost a usual chorus trumpeting once more and again that in international politics, "might is right and justice is the interest of the stronger". This cliché has remained in the mind and heart of students of international politics for so many years. One particular norm or cliché the craftsmen and women of that earliest cliché have missed to provide is what happens in a situation of equal strength and balance of terror. I am sure they would recline and accept the objectivity of justice and sanctity of morality.

It therefore simply speaks to us that international politics is an arena of bullies and power tyranny.

This reminds us of the mechanisation of minds across the world by the powers that be. Especially, when any world power lasts so long in our consciousness, they seem to penetrate our substance and subconsciousness to the extent that we cease to ask questions about whatever they do. Most of the time, they assume the status and stature of moral police and become impeccably right or righteous. In our mind lives the United States of America here.

Currently, our world and all media are awash with news about Ukraine and its invasion by Russia. It offensive to my kind to use the word 'invasion' in respect of the reigning issue. I had preferred to employ the word Russian reaction than invasion.

In very recent years, Ukraine has began an unkind romance with the NATO and US. This romance of Ukraine is putting Russia in a state of security discomfort. Importantly, it is to recall the relationship between Russia and the NATO. NATO remains an unfriendly gathering to Russia and this is common knowledge. It therefore means that by the relationship between Ukraine and NATO, Russia may be losing her safety if care is not immediately taken.

In certain developments without appropriate sequence, Ukraine had made it open that they seek nuclear power and their purpose for such was obvious which refers to Russia. Also, the government of Ukraine which was amicable with Russia was toppled and ousted under the guise of revolution (which is suspected as a sponsored coup). It was subsequently replaced by a new one which only saw Russia as a foe. The new government of Ukraine has continued an unholy romance with NATO and US and have continued to grow even more hostile to Russia. This led to skirmishes along the Donbas area. Separatists grew on that axis who are largely Russian indigenous people. These Russian speaking people have also been groaning under the heavy measures from the Ukrainian government without any moral consideration.

Russia has adopted several diplomatic measures requesting legal security guarantees from both Ukraine and NATO. Instead of attending to Russian legitimate demands for security guarantee, the NATO and Ukraine simply ignored him and have hastened processes for Ukraine to join NATO regardless of whatever that means to the safety and security of Russia. When Russia made concerted efforts, NATO cleverly turned Ukraine to partners meaning a gradual drift to deceive and disorient. All these were not sitting well with Russia. But when it was clear that Ukraine and NATO were pushing further and irresponsive to Russia, it became important for Russia to speak in louder voice.

Russia reacted with military forces and the whole world have remembered the sovereignty of Ukraine and their rights to free association. 

We must digress here to wake the memories of the reactionaries about the unclean hands of NATO and US as they approach equity. We recall that Iraq was invaded by the US with pretence and propaganda that they had nuclear armament. They did this invasion even after Sadam Hussein had allowed them to come in and inspect his armoury and to confirm that Iraq was not acquiring nuclear weapons. Despite the good faith and trust, the United States went on afterwards to invade Iraq, took away Sadam Hussein and summarily killed him afterwards. There was no nuclear weapon found in Iraq and the question of the sovereignty of Iraq was thrown out to the dogs. The holy men and women of NATO, the United States, the pedestrian sympathisers and lots more who have suddenly found their voices in reference to sovereignty and human rights upon Russia today were nowhere to be found then.

This same scenario played out in Libya where NATO and the US invaded Libya, raked the country, destroyed their government, killed their leader Gaddafi, annihilated their economy and desecrated the sanctity of their sovereignty. Nobody has questioned either the United States or the NATO on those humongous international atrocities.

Do we now forget about Afghanistan and how their society, economy, government, sovereignty and lots more we're dangerously damaged and slaughtered ingloriously? What has happened about Afghanistan and her status as an independent country that should have her sovereignty as an inalienable preserve? This same United States and NATO meddling on areas that Russia should have dominance and who are now shouting taboos against Russia are the real culprits and nobody seems to be saying anything. Why?

One will also remember the case of USSR and Cuba. The United States under JF Kennedy pushed the USSR back pointing out the insecurity of the United States. What happened then and what is happening now?

While it is a fact that Ukraine has right as a sovereign nation or state to associate with other countries of the world, we must also remind ourselves that where one's right ends, another one's own begin. It may be very appropriate to recast it here that where the freedom of Ukraine ends, the security of Russia begins. And so we must begin to find peace between Ukraine and Russia and/or by extension NATO and the US through recourse to justice and international political morality. At least, there is a precedence.

To curb and contain the tension of the moment, is to walk NATO and the US back and gain some security guarantee from Ukraine, NATO and the US for Russia. It will be smart badly to play blind on the insecurity implantation by the Ukrainian romance with the NATO and the US while blaming Vladimir Putin and Russia for enforcing the security of their land.