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Hill Times | 06Oct2014 | Oksana Bashuk Hepburn
http://www.hilltimes.com/opinion-piece/2014/10/06/ukraine-therefore-needs-overt-military-help/39806
Ukraine therefore needs
overt military help
History will not forgive, if Western leaders fail to stand up to
terror. Our values, rather than those of a bully, must prevail.
Canada’s support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion “…is not
to us just a matter of international law or political principle. This
is a matter of kinship, this is a matter of family, this is personal
and we will stand by you,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a
recent visit to Ottawa by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
The president was profoundly thankful for our steadfast friendship but
stressed that Ukraine needs “more than blankets” to win against Russia.
Canada promised non-lethal military aid -- intelligence, training -- as
well as a $200-million-plus loan.
Good, but not enough. A Ukrainian victory -- a democratic future,
re-invigorated economy, beaten down corruption -- requires an
international strategy involving multi-stakeholder participation. The
EU Association Agreement, ratified recently, is the way forward. So is
a Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement the two leaders discussed.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wants none of this and is determined
to kill processes aligning Ukraine with the West, be it through war,
false cease-fires, or frozen conflict.
We must not let him. He is a terrorist and a criminal. His barbarianism
-- failure to respect international law, annexing sovereign states,
exiling, abducting, torturing and killing citizens, destroying cities,
downing civilian passenger planes -- is identical to the ISIS operating
style in the Middle East. Yet few make the link: Omar al-Shishani, born
and trained in occupied Chehnya, is reported to be ISIL’s chief
commander. Both wars of terror call for commensurate punishment. It has
yet to arrive in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Putin makes demands: no NATO for Ukraine, no association
agreement, and no sanctions for Russia as if it were the victim rather
than the perpetrator. Small wonder that Lithuanian’s President Dalia
Grybauskaite asks why, in the light of his atrocities, is the West
concerned with Putin’s sensitivities rather than Ukraine’s?
As its aggression increases, so must the punishment and isolation. Some
diplomatic steps have been taken. The G-8 is no more; Poland is calling
for a limit on Russia’s UN Security Council veto; and the international
space program has been halted.
Going forward, Australia’s grief for its citizens downed in the
Malaysia flight calls for a ban-Putin-stand at the November G-20
meeting. Disinvite him from the Europe-Asia (ASEM) meeting of some 50
nations in Italy next month. In sports, the Ottawa Jets’ Eugene Melnyk
has mounted a boycott of Moscow’s 2018 World Cup. More is needed to
crush the rogue.
Canada could lead in developing a full list of political, economic,
sport, academia -- all international for an undertaking -- excluding
Russia until it chooses to conform to international law and the world
order.
It is still scoffing, but economic sanctions are hurting. The pain will
increase as sectoral sanctions -- energy, banks -- kick in. However, a
united commitment from all signees is needed. Canada can use its close
relations with holdout countries like France, Italy, and Japan to
ensure a fail-safe front. Germany’s fall cruise into Crimea is a cheap
and cheeky endorsement of Russia’s aggression and needs shaming.
Canada must keep faith too. NDP Member of Parliament Peggy Nash asked
why two banks and several oligarchs were taken surreptitiously off the
sanctions list? Opposition oversight is welcome, as are answers.
Last winter’s Maidan revolution on the streets of Kyiv began as a stand
against state corruption. Its elimination continues to be a most
pressing need, especially in the defence sector where Russia still has
too much control and command. It is heart wrenching to hear about dying
or wounded freedom fighters because state-provided arms are issued by
corrupt superiors for cash only. Or, that battle re-enforcements fail
to materialize because of seditious leadership.
Hence, Poroshenko’s request for military assistance.
Canada has much experience in providing civilian oversight in defence.
It is inexpensive and could be part of the military assistance package.
More. Our entire federal public service has a reputation of being one
of the finest. In the mid-1990s, the then Public Service School of
Management held a program for Ukraine’s ministers and deputy ministers
on how Canada governs. The intent was to create ongoing relationships
between counterparts. Perhaps a revival is timely.
Clearly, there is no shortage of what needs and can be done. However,
all will be for naught if the West fails to halt Russia in crippling it
into submission from where it can expand its primitive rule. Harper
made this clear: “We cannot let Mr. Putin’s dark and dangerous actions
stand, for they have global security implications.” Ukraine therefore
needs overt military help. This is the United States and NATO’s
prerogative but Canada, Ukraine’s friend, nay family, must intervene.
History will not forgive, if Western leaders fail to stand up to
terror. Our values, rather than those of a bully, must prevail.
Oksana Bashuk Hepburn,
former president of U*Can Ukraine Canada Relations Inc., a consulting
firm specializing in brokering international interests, is an opinion
writer.
[email protected]
The Hill Times