At the outset, I am aware that the world is immersed in Russophobia and anti-Putin sentiment, and a negative view of Ukraine and Zelensky is sacrilegious. To be fair though, not that Russia and Putin are flawless, I am writing this article with a different slant, believing that the democratic world doesn’t believe in ancient sacral kingship where kings are deified as God and speaking about their frivolities or weaknesses is a crime.
The war in Ukraine has a long history behind it, but it could have been avoided. And saying that Russia just invaded Ukraine, out of the blue, as a gateway to invade the rest of Europe and worsen the present global pandemic economy is naïve and deceitful. Why? Because it takes two to tango.
The Myths
We sapiens are fond of creating myths, especially subcultural and subgroup myths. We institutionalize these, impose them upon our immediate group members, propagate them to others, and eventually attempt to impose them as the universal norm of human life and existence. This is true not just in religion but also in economics and politics. In the process of globally venerating our institutionalized myths we clash with others, and the clashes are, at times, deadly and destructive.
The war in Ukraine is just another example of this deadly clash. Critically ironic is the belief that death and destruction can bring progress and prosperity. After World War II and the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the so-called Western World has positioned itself as the universal norm for the bright future of human civilization. And that future hinges on the American model of capitalism as the only means for economic global prosperity, and the American paradigm of polarized partisan-based democracy to ensure global order and peace. Did the myths of American capitalism and partisan democracy spark the war in Ukraine?
The Phenomenology
Laying aside the larger historical contexts of the Cold War and the fear of the lingering ghost of the Soviet Empire, let’s trace the immediate contributing factors of the war in Ukraine.
Russia believed that US-NATO is prepping Ukraine to destabilize Russia, so Russia built up its forces across Ukraine’s borders. Putin wanted to be legally assured that Ukraine won’t join NATO, but Zelensky, most likely with Biden’s assent, said no. In turn, Zelensky aggressively positioned Ukraine as a soon-to-be part of NATO. He did that despite the years of the required process that Biden forgot and Zelensky was not cognizant of. And behind the scene, though, both men zealously wanted to rebrand themselves. Biden wanted to prove to the Americans and the world that he is a tough and charismatic guy (more than Trump but like Obama) and still able to make it to the second term. Zelensky wanted recognition on the global stage and fantasized about being equal with Putin, Biden, and other leaders of major European powers.
It was madness that after plunging into war with the NATO factor, Zelensky just declared that Ukraine is not seeking NATO membership anymore. This could have been enough to end the war and Russia could have already lost its raison d’etre for invasion. And if Putin continued the invasion without the raison d’etre, he could have even lost the friendship of China, Belarus, and other neutral countries like Turkey, India, South Africa, or Israel. But then another madness crept in. Zelensky demanded more weapons and support for the war. He just wanted escalation instead of de-escalation to avoid the destruction of his country and saved the lives of his people. And pride, a delusion of grandeur, and zealousness for war persisted even one year later. And Biden supports it despite cautions from both Republicans and Democrats. Can’t the world see the psyche behind the continued war in Ukraine? By the way, the US also needs to remember its flaw in the making of Saddam Hussein.
Acting along the way with guts and charisma, Zelensky later realized he could also fantasize about a superpower Ukraine able to defeat Russia by demanding indisputable military empowerment from NATO countries. To his credit, he did play his role well getting military freebies (that even countries like Canada struggle to acquire, upgrade, and maintain), so he could build Ukraine into a global military superpower to compete with Russia—for free.
So, at the outset, the conflict escalated into what Russia regarded as a preemptive incursion. At its early stage, Biden could have intervened by emphasizing that US-NATO will not arm Ukraine or destabilize Russia on condition of Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the looming incursion. But Biden seemed to care less or does know what was going on, and even impulsively aggravated the conflict by positioning US-NATO as Russia’s staunch enemy that’s ready to fight in Ukraine. Stoltenberg either just cannot say no to the US, or even find a purpose in the conflict as an opportunity to emphasize the relevance of NATO despite the long bygone era of the Cold War. In short, the conflict quickly evolved not into a war that no one wants to prevent or de-escalate. Indeed, as the Pope affirmed the war was either provoked or not prevented.
From the incessant economic pressures against Russia and Russians to the military empowerment of Ukraine and the worldwide propagation of anti-Russian sentiment, Zelensky became more enamored of defeating Russia and Putin. Despite Ukraine’s grave economic status and lack of military capabilities, he imagined himself as an ordinary Ukrainian actor turned into a famed David able to defeat the feared European goliath. And much to the dismay of Putin, Zelensky and the Ukraine military, trained and empowered by US-NATO has become an enemy that’s hard to quickly defeat.
Amid the war, Biden, and most NATO leaders seem to enjoy the play of power and the game of death in defeating the ghost of the long-gone Soviet Empire. But while watching the show they also missed deciphering the gradual opening of their common pandora box. Yes, the war highlighted the economic, political, and military influence and power of the US and the West. But it also reinforced the need for alternative regional alliances that despise the whims, wishes, and will of the West and disdain a unipolar global control and governance. More so with the leadership of the unpredictable bipartisan-based American political and economic foreign policies and practices.
So, what’s the US-NATO ultimate goal behind this war? The speedy victory over Russia? A grand finale of the solid and sole domination of America in Europe, then the world, including China, India, and Arab countries, among others? And afterward, just forget Ukraine and the Ukrainians, like what they did to Iraq and the Iraqis, Afghanistan and Afghanis, and Syria and Syrians, as well as others?
Despite Putin’s expressions of willingness for a peaceful resolution, it appears that Biden (probably struggling with aging consciousness and rationality), Zelensky (still obsessed with more grandeurs than what he already has, if not having other self-interests), Scholz (still figuring out what to do), and Stoltenberg (just acting as the usual American yes man)—do not have an exit strategy. Do they just want to impose an authoritarian and unilateral condition on Russia? In this sense, there’s no negotiation or amicable agreement. Or do they just want the final destruction of Ukraine and Russia?
Even the US Republican congressman Paul Gosar and senator JD Vance both pointed out that Biden’s policy in Ukraine is escalation, not de-escalation. Last year thirty Democrat Representatives urged Biden for a diplomatic solution. But it seems Biden is not fully aware of the depths of the deaths and sufferings of the Ukrainian people, and can’t see the potential for further destruction of Ukraine.
Could the conflict evolve into war had it been in the context of Trump’s USA (despite his arrogance and rudeness) and Merkel’s Germany? Or in Obama’s Nobel Peace America, and Clinton’s economic growth-centered USA? These are all theoretical questions, but the fact is, with the Western-spoiled Zelensky on the global center stage demanding more powerful freebies—it’s just escalation and more death and destruction. I thought more civilized societies are passionate about a more peaceful, constructive, and fair approach to international relations.
Ukrainians’ hope is not on more weapons of destruction but on an amicable resolution to the conflict turned to war. There is no glory, peace, or prosperity in further escalation of the war. Restoration, reconstruction, and rebuilding of lives and society is a long process. First, there should be peace in Ukraine, then regional peace. Ukraine still needs to detoxify itself and build its national integrity. But globally assisted by positive and constructive societies—it can be done.
Ukrainians should realize that winning the war is not just about more fighting, more weapons, totally defeating the enemy, or just being carried away by a leader’s delusion. They need to reflect on the fate of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. And learn lessons from Japan, China, South Korea, and even Vietnam.
The war in Ukraine is not a world war but could have global consequences if not fairly and wisely resolved. The hope is for other leaders with a deeper sense of awareness and reason to stand up and intervene.
The Losers
The biggest losers in this war are the Ukrainian people. How can they rebuild their lives and their country? Many of them escaped war and felt lucky to start a new life in a foreign land. But Ukraine is devastated, and political leaders want some more. Like other corrupt countries, after a national disaster (human-made or natural) reconstruction never happens. The beneficiaries of aid are always those in power. Corruption and financial opportunism are generational, and can’t be cleaned in a few days of a superficial show. It takes a generation of positive authoritarian governments to clean a country, rebuild it, and usher in an honorable and equitable grandeur.
Russians are also casualties of this war. The world ignores, and even rejoices in, Russian military, economic, political, and cultural sufferings. We forget that Russians are human beings also. They did fight against the cruel Nazis and in fact, also contributed to the end of World War II in the Pacific.
The Characters
Indeed, Zelensky was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a recognized world leader. With his acts, he can demand expensive freebies that even more economically advanced countries like Canada struggle to acquire, maintain, and update. Of course, at times parents would sacrifice themselves to appease their spoiled brat, but sacrificing one’s family for another family’s (not immediate or extended) demanding kid to fight others in a conflict he provoked and never wants to end, is lunacy.
No other contemporary political leader can rally global support and equip his country for free like Zelensky. He can lure and play the USA, most NATO countries, and the EU. He can lure the US Congress to stand in a united ovation that other American presidents were wanting. But how long can such a grandeur last? With a country loaded with corruption (how far does it go), when the war has reached its life cycle and ends, will he still enjoy the glory, or be forgotten? When one’s character in a play is done and the play itself is over, the character becomes unnecessary and slowly drifts into oblivion. Then a new play with new characters emerged, then a cycle of hype and loss of relevance continue. Hype does not last forever.
Scholz has been flip-flopping, making Germany a flip-flop. As the leading European and EU power, he seems lost. Gone are the days of the humble yet decisive and strong Merkel. Both Scholz and Macron could have brokered diplomatic resolutions before the incursion but now, both seem lost also if not disinterested, apathetic, or disabled to make a breakthrough for global peace and recovery. As I mentioned earlier, Stoltenberg has his predicaments.
Biden, though, has proven that he can still rally the USA and the world against Russia to fight the ghost of the Cold War. Is he taking active, rational, and strategic roles in resolving the conflict that turned into war? Or just passively watching and concurring whatever it is. His predecessors could have played a more active and positive role.
We all know that America has very powerful military, political, economic, scientific, and technological capabilities. What we don’t know, with its internal degradation seeping in, is what will be its future? Will it still be the leader of global peace, democracy, and socio-economic recovery? Will the war in Ukraine be a litmus test on how creatively and constructively or pathetically and destructively America handles global conflict? Will it be great to see America done with a stale persona and imbibing fresh, more creative, and constructive leadership?
Back to the Myths
By significant ratio, problems of crime and economic disparity in the US and its American European kins are much greater than that in Singapore, China, Japan, Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, or Nordic countries. Further, the national infrastructure development and citizens’ equitable quality of life are more progressive in people-centered authoritarian countries than in North America and its kins. So, the myth that Western or American-style capitalism and democracy are the only universal norm for global peace and progress is ironic.
Furthermore, by now, the global society should have realized that a world controlled by a unipolar myth is and will be retrogressive. Diversity is an inherent human quality that brings creativity and constructive endeavors. And inclusion amidst diversity does not mean uniformity but being positively connected to a constructive human collage. With each niche contributing to the creative advancement of the quality of human life and civilization.
Naïve and theoretical? Yes, in the sense that our world is loaded with all sorts of conflicting self-interests, mostly short-term, as common in the West where societal governance is always tied up with partisan, individual, and lobbyist interests. But not in countries where the focus is more truly on the national people’s well-being and future, and this the West cannot accept or even hate because it collides with its ideological myths.
Critical myths are playing with life and death in Ukraine. One of these myths is the notion that for Europe (and the world) to be safe, free, and prosperous it needs to follow the American model of political and economic ideology. Another is that by annihilating the enemy (probably too exaggerating) or defeating it without any compromise and mutual considerations, through massive military power, Europe (and the world) can have peace and prosperity. It seems though that many are fond of this approach, and thus are more zealous of war than conflict resolution.
Unless we address these myths, the fondness for the escalation of war can never subside, until all that’s left are ruins and more deaths. Only those who profit from the war want it to continue. Those of us who are ordinary people, just want global peace and economic recovery so we can again afford a place to live and foods to eat and move on to rebuild our broken lives. And perhaps someday travel to once-troubled places to see its new beauty and reflect on the lessons learned from humane intervention.
Postscript
The conflict in Ukraine was provoked and allowed to turn into a war. It’s the consequence of American-NATO’s proactive and offensive positioning to expand, and eventually dominate Europe. It’s the outcome of Russia’s reactive and defensive action to the perceived American-NATO threat to contain its regional capability. The politics of the war, heightened by the power play of wishful political actors, spread and pervaded our already Pandemic-stricken world. While others are still wondering, most are lured spontaneously. Unlike World War II, the war in Ukraine is not a necessary evil.
Our global community need to deeply consider, not who the villain and the heroes are, for all involved have villains and heroes. But on how can the world finally exit from this war that worsens our global economy and life, amid us, ordinary people, already critically struggling to have our ends meet? Doesn’t a ray of peace and recovery give us all hope to restart our life beyond the Pandemic, inflation, job losses, recession, deaths, and many other difficulties? It’s time for the world to begin a new life.
