The only thing I have contemplated in the last 24 hours, reading bits of Chomsky et al, is the argument that the West politically exposed Ukraine, lured them into no man’s land between East and West, with suggestions and promises that we were never likely to keep.
Yes, unquestionably, Ukraine and the Ukrainian people should be able to self determine its political direction. Yes, unquestionably, the blame entirely lays at Russia’s door for the terrible events of the last week and the last eight years.
But I have started to wonder whether Ukraine has been badly let down by the US, NATO and the EU. We give Ukraine and other similar countries and their peoples the carrot of NATO and EU membership, yet hold them at arm’s length until they join. We hide behind the fact they are not part of NATO, that they are a not an EU member, for our inaction when they invaded, despite selling them the promise of promise European integration.
I feel massive guilt towards my wife and her family for where Ukraine now finds itself. It’s easy to say, “Well, you are not part of NATO, and not part of the EU,” for not militarily defending them, until you actually have to say that to people who are having their homes and country destroyed.
There’s a real possibility that both NATO and the EU, whilst being emboldened and resilient right now, face a real identity and confidence crisis should the worst happen to Ukraine. Why would third countries want to align themselves with us, with the intention of one day joining, if we just allow a dictator to sabotage and then invade them whilst on their journey?
