By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 29, 2022 | Please understand up front that we know few people who are well-versed about the country of Ukraine. Certainly, we are not in that category.
Yet just watching the news reports, and reading the dispatches about the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s Russia, certain elements pop out at us:
- It’s not going well for Russia and Putin. He did not pull off a Third Reich-style Blitzkrieg invasion of Ukraine. Images of a massive number of Russian tanks lined up stranded without fuel stands out. It shows the lack of adequate planning for the invasion. It’s not unlike Germany being stopped when trying to invade Russia. This time Russian is stuck not in snow as was Germany, but now in mis-management and inefficiency in supplies.
- Ukraine’s one-time comedian, and now its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is another virtual-unknown who has risen to the occasion, and become an unexpected strong leader of Ukraine. He’s a hero to that nation in showing determination for his country to fight back against the Russian invasion. He’s easily compared with the way that Winston Churchill rallied Britain in its darkest hours.
- Massive destruction is being pounded down on Ukrainian cities through the shelling of the Russian artillery. This bombardment may be the strongest military accomplishment of the Russian Army.
- Putin and his Russian Army seem to use the harshest element of war, killings of civilians and even children, as part of their plan of destruction. Several instances of bombing of obvious civilian targets testify to the Russian leader’s obvious lack of compassion, and his zest to dominate at whatever costs he can inflict on Ukraine and its people.
- Give Putin credit for one element: his bullying-type of invasion and his tactics have brought together many nations against the Russian juggernaut. Even nations within easy striking distance of Russia have condemned these moves. That includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia. They have condemned the invasion and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Located so close to Russia, this is a major change, and not easily given. It shows just how unjust this invasion is, when those nations who might also feel such a blow are willing to stand up and be counted.
Ukraine, in green.
There’s another interesting dynamic appearing in this world drama that has been little discussed. Almost like sitting watching a Final Four, here is Communist China watching on the sidelines. What about their view on the Russian invasion?
From dispatches we’ve read, at first the Chinese seemed to side with Putin and his invasion. But then, there seemed to be a switch in the way the Chinese government looked at the war. One report we read says that the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, had avoided criticizing Mr. Putin, but at the same time has tried to distance his country from the situation. There was an indication that China might allow Chinese businesses to comply with the Western sanctions against Russia.
China seems in a quandary. During the Winter Olympics a month ago, Putin and Xi Jinping were buddies, saying they had strengthened ties. But last week China signaled that it was ready to play a role in mediating a cease fire, with China even saying it supported Ukraine’s sovereignty. That doesn’t sound like BestBuds! The British Broadcasting Corporation reported that China even expressed “regret” about Russia’s military invasion.
Perhaps the Chinese government sees itself as a peacemaker between Russia and Ukraine. Could they pull this off? It would certainly strengthen China’s position in the world order.
Is China our best bet to keep Ukraine free? We would buy that right now!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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