First
let’s do a brief historical recap. In 1991 the Ukrainian people by an
overwhelming margin, in excess of 90%, voted for independence from the Soviet
Union and, in effect, independence from Russia itself. Three years later, in 1994
the Ukrainian government was in possession of the third largest nuclear arsenal
in the world. In the interest of world peace and at the forceful urging of the
American government and its allies, Ukraine agreed to eliminate all nuclear
weapons from its territory. Its atomic arsenal, which was comprised of true
weapons of mass destruction, not merely some rusty tanks, a few grenades and
soviet machine guns, but in fact a nuclear arsenal which included
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, long and short range rockets to propel
nuclear warheads, with the capability to devastate the planet Earth far beyond
anything we have ever witnessed.
This
nuclear arsenal was voluntarily given up by Ukraine, even though at the time the
weapons were a firm insurance policy and rock-solid protection from foreign
invasion by countries or despots with imperialistic designs. What would compel
a sovereign nation to relinquish its weapons of mass destruction, making
Ukraine the first and only nation in history to denuclearize its defense
system? Simply put, the United States of America gave its word that we
would support Ukraine should its territorial integrity, independence or
sovereignty be threatened.
Twenty years ago Ukraine believed in world peace.
Twenty years later Ukraine still believes in world peace; however, its
territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty are under attack by virtue
of the Russian invasion in Crimea. The Ukrainian interim government and its
military forces have shown remarkable restraint in the face of brazen
Putinesque Russian aggression. In spite of having Russian machine guns pointed
at their heads and live rounds fired over them, Ukrainians have not evened the
score. As per an intercepted phone call between Vladimir Putin and one of his
commanders of the invading Russian force in Crimea, Putin is stunned that the
Ukrainians have not been provoked to retaliate, thus escalating the invasion to
the level of a massacre.
Ukrainians would prefer not to have a “hot war” as they
know quite well that too many lives of Ukrainians and others have been spilled
on its rich, black soil to defend Ukraine over the centuries from foreign
aggression. Having been an independent, sovereign country for over twenty two
years, the longest period of time after suffering foreign imperialistic control
for nearly 400 years, Ukraine seeks to have all appropriate steps exhausted
rather than initiate another bloodbath.
Ukraine’s history predates Russia’s by
centuries. Ukraine’s leaders in Kyiv,
the capital Ukraine accepted the Christian faith in the year 988, back when
Russia did not exist as a country. Over
the years Ukraine’s aspirations to exist as a peaceful sovereign nation have
been under systematic threats by Russia.
The last time Russia invaded Ukraine was in 1921.
What did that assault lead to? It
resulted in collectivization of private farms, a genocide known as Holodomor
which resulted in 10 million innocent Ukrainian men, women and children
forcibly starved to death, and mass executions and deportations. In essence, it brought about the most horrific annihilation
of human life in modern times. There is no rational basis to expect that today
the fate of the Ukrainians will endure any less suffering under the Putin
regime.
In 1994, the Memorandum on Security Assurances (frequently
referred to as the Budapest Memorandum) was signed by Ukraine, the United
States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
the Russian Federation, whereby Ukraine agreed to voluntarily eliminate its
nuclear weapons. In consideration, this international agreement committed all
parties to recognize the independence, sovereignty and existing borders of
Ukraine.
In the Budapest Memorandum America, Great Britain
and Russia reaffirmed their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of
force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and
confirmed that their weapons will not be used against Ukraine except in
self-defense or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Indisputably, Ukraine did not attack Russia and
there were no UN actions which called for a Russian invasion of Ukrainian
territory. Russia did not seek any remedies for alleged grievances such as
appeals to the United Nations or the International Court, knowing that its groundless
claims would be summarily dismissed.
Instead, Russia patently violated these commitments
through its illegal military invasion of
Ukraine. As stated in a communique issued by the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee dated February 28, “Russia’s foreign policy too often relies on the
use of intimidation and fear to achieve its aims.” The statement goes on to say
“The United States has a responsibility to see that these commitments are
respected and to use all necessary diplomatic and, if required, punitive
measures in concert with the European Union.”
In a sense, Vladimir Putin’s neck is in a
metaphorical noose. It is incumbent on the United States and its allies to
systematically tighten that noose through sanctions and international actions that
will isolate him and his economy thereby forcing a withdrawal of his troops from
Crimea back to the Russian naval base or to Russia.
Ukraine’s population chose independence and a
democratic path based on western virtues, with guaranteed protection of the
interests of minorities living on the territory of Ukraine by the Ukrainian
government.
We know Putin’s and the Kremlin’s worst fear is that
an independent democratic Ukraine will provide inspiration for the multitude of
religious and ethnic minorities spread out in Russia’s nine time zones to
foster their own democratic aspirations, breaking the bondage chain of Moscow.
So why is the invasion of Ukraine about us? First,
because twenty years ago Ukrainians chose the same values as held dearly by
Americans – liberty and world peace by relinquishing their nuclear arsenal. Second, because we gave our word and signed
an obligation to support Ukraine should it be faced with external aggression.
What are we to say to other countries when we are negotiating disarmament
agreements now and in the future, “We were just kidding about the peace thing
and we don’t intend to keep our word in the future?”
In essence, the integrity of the United States of
America is on the line. The key question is: Do we stand up for our core values
and get the world bully to back down or do we let America lose its leadership
position in the world by not honoring our commitments? I believe, as do most
Americans, that America is the great country it is because we support our
values and
do honor our word. Our allies around the world that share our values will stand
with us. Apparently the shameful space of lies, broken promises and corrupt
values is already occupied by Russia.
Pavlo T. Bandriwsky is the Vice President of the
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division. UCCA has been
representing the interests of the Ukrainian American community in Chicagoland
for 40 years.
