By: Vančo K. Tegov
Two days – two faces of both sides. The Russian and the Ukrainian.
On Sunday, Ukraine, through a long-planned drone attack, succeeded in destroying more than a third of Russia’s fleet of strategic bombers. The attack – already dubbed by some Russian military bloggers as the “Russian Pearl Harbor” – was reportedly planned for over a year and a half. It was a successful strike deep into Russian territory, targeting the Irkutsk base, which – geographically speaking – lies far in the Russian Far East, about 4,000 km from Russia’s western border, closer to Japan and nearly neighbouring Mongolia.
What can we think of the “renowned” self-absorbed Russia and its military might? A power built at the expense of destroying or maintaining the lowest standard of living for most of the Russian population – this Russia, a hegemon that has always had its “glorious” historical moments and long, dark periods. Its robustness in weaponry, metal, and deadly military structure was challenged by a person, a country, a people who are defending their own – not invading others. And they showed what they are capable of. Wherever Russia went after its initial period of dominance in brute force – metal and gunpowder – came the collapse of morale, or demoralisation of its living forces. It resembles Serbia and the so-called “Serbian syndrome,” where every defeat is somehow paraded as a victory. For Russia – a country of 150 million, a significant portion of whom are anything but Russian – it is a problem that about 50 million people do not identify with the goals of an already outdated Russian pan-Slavism. A hegemonism at any cost.
And what happened on Monday?
In Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia agreed during yesterday’s negotiations on a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war, announced Ukrainian Defence Minister and head of the delegation Rustem Umerov after the meeting. The Russian side reportedly rejected a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire and instead suggested a partial one, lasting two to three days. As if it still has not dawned on the Russians – and given the delegation they sent, it clearly has not – that arrogance, condescension, and a superiority complex toward Ukraine and its negotiators lead nowhere. Their offer of a three-day truce is pure underestimation. The Russians did everything to make the outcome of the meeting meagre and hollow. In contrast, Ukraine feels a sense of responsibility and seeks progress – not just another meeting. The fact that the Russians refused to present a negotiation memorandum in advance is yet another sign that they are not serious. And when you finally see and read it, you realise it is not a negotiation proposal but an ultimatum. It becomes clear that nothing will come of it. Just a “shame” for the Russians, who drafted that memorandum before Sunday – that arrogance and haughtiness might now turn into the “flabby” Russian muscles of a drunken ruler who has long ceased to be politically or functionally competent. The Russian delegation, without the approval of the absent “tsar,” are like clueless calves.
Epilogue
Ukraine is currently in a phase of strengthening its belief in its own stability, in its cause and justice. The brief period of uncertainty following the leadership change in Washington is over. The resolve of the healthy part of Europe – which stands with Ukraine – shows that Ukraine has one viable path, which is becoming more real by the day: to persevere until victory over Russia and return to its pre-2014 borders – the borders of a sovereign and European Ukraine. The defence of Ukraine against hegemonic Russia is also the defence of Europe against a non-European incursion – one that never was and never should be part of modern Europe. What kind of Russia its citizens will strive for is a question for them. But they must not wait too long. Too long in unfreedom, isolation, and poverty in all forms. They must do their homework – at home. As soon as possible. For their own sake, and for the common good.
For a new and better image of Europe – with a European Ukraine – it is worth persevering. This applies to Ukrainians and all of Europe.