Unforeseen disasters – The Malta Independent
World news websites are engaged in a race to show us the worst scenes in Ukraine, especially the scenes of victims calmly killed by retreating Russian soldiers, some in their cars or even on wheels, some with their hands tied behind them. back, etc.
We therefore focus on the immediate and encourage revenge and justice for the victims, as we have. And maybe more weapons for Ukraine and more sanctions.
But we must go beyond the immediate and analyze the causes of this conflict.
Sa 24th February, the day of the invasion, as we can see from countless videos on YouTube and other social media, Ukraine was a relatively peaceful country.
It was a poor country, among the poorest in Europe, as poor as the areas close to Russia with old and decrepit infrastructure, with big problems that are still half-solved when it comes to the rule of law.
The remnants of the old Soviet system were for the most part still there with the oligarchs crowded around the central power and becoming rich in the dirty as a consequence.
The Orange Revolution 10 years ago began to take hold of this system but made little progress until a comedian named Zelensky unexpectedly became president. And until Putin sent the tanks and soldiers. The rest is a story, a story not yet concluded.
I constantly feel shocked by scenes from the latest last Christmas. These were normal people, these are normal families who are enjoying the season as they have been doing for years and years. Who can tell them that in less than half a year half of them will be exiled and the other half soldiers will fight against the most powerful army in the world? Who told us here in Malta as we celebrated the New Year focused on getting rid of Covid that in less than half a year all our certainties will be swept away by a war so far away from Malta that does it still affect our economy, our tourism and practically everything?
The unpredictability of the events has never been so obvious. Over the years we have had to deal with unpredictable events that could undermine our economy – from the world economy that almost collapsed in 2008 to the unresolved Libyan revolution. Now this invasion of Ukraine with all its ramifications so far is unclear.
There are lessons to be learned from all of these events. I don’t think most Maltese would want to join a defense alliance like NATO, even though Japan itself could become a member. This comes from the misaligned doctrine of the Mintoff era that may have been appropriate in the 1970s but perhaps dangerous when the world today is dominated by people like Putin or the North Korean dictator.
Nevertheless, we would like to make sure that our armed forces have the right equipment and training for any eventuality, plus that we will spend 2% of our budget on defense.
In addition, events in Ukraine could also lead us to raise the concept of territorial part-time soldiers with training included.
From all angles, Russia’s behavior in all this war must be condemned by all, especially in the light of the massacres in Bucha, Mariupol and now at the train station. We have entered the EU directives but in total silence. People want to get more reassuring that there is no backsliding or that friends of friends are not being exempted.
The greatest silence comes from our authorities, including the Prime Minister, who seem to fail to say a single word in condemning this invasion and intrusion into the affairs of a sovereign state. Do to others what you want others to do to you.
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