The muddled messages from the White House concerning Russia and its disregard of international law should gravely concern democratic states. In Ukraine, this is a matter of national existence and a matter of life and death.
To date, the only effective weapons democracies have provided Ukraine in its stand against Russia’s aggression—as seen through Russia’s annexation of Crimea and invasion of Donbas—have been economic sanctions. It is vital that they continue or, better yet, expand until Russia reverts to behaving like a normal, law-abiding state. Until then, they must remain to underscore democracies’ commitment to the rule of law and world order. Ukraine needs them as a moral support for its three-year heroic stand.
To be effective, the sanctions must have the backing of the leader of the free world, the United States president. It’s not clear where President Donald Trump stands on the issue now.
There is no ambiguity about his wish for better relations with Russia or his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The question is at what cost? Will Trump tolerate Russia’s escalation of aggression against a sovereign country, Ukraine? Duplicity in Syria? Cyber interference in America’s elections? Disregard for international law and order?
Canada’s message to the White House has been clear. In her recent trip to the United States, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed “very strong support” for Ukraine. At a meeting with her counterpart, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, she condemned the recent escalation of Russia’s attacks and underscored that “the invasion and annexation of Crimea is illegal and a threat to the international order.”
Hopefully Canada’s strong voice and reputation as a fervent supporter of democratic values and so fledgling democracies will balance misguided calls for the removal of sanctions in the interest of expediency.
Today, the need to stand up for territorial integrity, rule of law, inclusivity, and individual rights and freedoms is being challenged globally. Russia leads the pack. To do so, it employs psychological and cyber warfare widely. In Ukraine, it has added guns. The cost is some 10,000 lives, displacement of 1.5 million, and destruction worthy of Genghis Khan.
True, Ukraine has repelled the Russian-backed rebels’ latest terror in Avdiyivka (Avdiivka), but rumours are flying that the pro-Russian side has some 35,000 troops on the ready.
Yet President Trump fails to hold President Putin to account. He vacillates on sanctions. White House national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned because of his calls with Russia’s ambassador in Washington about sanctions.
This White House sense of reality and judgment is dangerous. The free world is reeling with questions: will America embrace a despot? Is Putin calling the shots?
Fortunately, there is strong pushback from democracies such as Canada and other NATO members, but most importantly from inside the ruling Republican Party.
Senator John McCain wrote the president an angry letter reminding him that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine escalated the day after his and Putin’s telephone conversation. He is “test[ing] you as commander in chief,” the letter stated and bluntly asked for more sanctions and lethal weapons for Ukraine to defend itself.
As a further reaction to President Trump’s ambiguity, six Republican and Democratic senators are sponsoring the Russia Sanctions Review Act designed, according to CNN, “to push back against the White House if it eased sanctions before Russia pulls out of Ukraine.” They are confident that it will withstand a presidential veto.
Such moves instil hope that America’s democratic way has not capitulated to expediency or autocratic bullying. But global support is needed.
In Washington, last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau missed an opportunity to underscore yet again the importance of supporting democratic values by dealing properly with abusers. Neither Russia’s threat to peace and security nor sanctions against it were mentioned, as if the need didn’t exist.
Oksana Bashuk Hepburn is formerly a senior policy adviser to Canada’s government and president of a consulting firm.
