We Must Not Forget Ukraine

For the last year, the escalating conflict in the Middle East has displaced Russian’s war against Ukraine from the front pages of the globe’s media, including in Canada. And as the adage goes, when things are out of sight, they are out of mind. Public opinion has softened, as a result. But, as Ukrainians continue to defend their land with fierce determination and against all odds, we in the West cannot afford to forget, nor abandon, their fight.

The Ukrainian peoples’ resistance to Russia’s forceful and unprovoked invasion, has been a master class in leadership and courage. Their stoicism and countless individual acts of everyday bravery have inspired the world. Individuals standing in front of tanks; average citizens with rifles in hand, guarding their communities; welders building anti-tank devices; seniors cooking food for their young and old fighters; mothers, nursing babies in bomb shelters, committed to staying put; and individuals from Canada and around the globe, giving up their comfortable lives and traveling to Ukraine to help out in any way they can. 

These individuals – everyday citizens – must be saluted and remembered. Theirs are acts of unselfish leadership, including those of their charismatic President, Volodymyr Zelensky. As another great wartime leader, Winston Churchill, once declared: “We sleep safely at night because men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.”

While not steeped in statecraft, since the war began, Zelensky refused to hide or flee. Instead, he stood his ground and rallied his fellow citizens to fight back with everything they had. When offered a flight to safety by the United States, his immediate response was, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.” Talk about a quote for the ages!

He and his fellow citizens epitomized what former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, another former brilliant leader, used to say about her troubled region, “You’ll never find a better sparring partner than adversity”. 

As a result, admiration for Ukraine flowed from all corners of the globe, and millions of people were motivated to make a contribution, big and small, in support of their struggle. Every day brought a new list of impressive initiatives by individuals, businesses, governments at all levels, NGO’s, humanitarian organizations, sports teams, schools, churches, and others – all in solidarity with Ukraine. This support must continue.

As the Middle East war spills over into multiple countries and as tens of thousands of innocent civilians are losing their lives, the international community must multitask; it must work tirelessly to bring justice and peace to this region and to Ukraine.

We also owe it to the governments and citizens of several Eastern European countries that border Ukraine – Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, and Romania. They have stepped up with an impressive show of generosity and openness towards the millions of refugees that flooded their lands. They did not waver. Instead, they opened up their homes, hospitals, schools, sports stadiums, resorts, and other community facilities to provide shelter to the fleeing masses of Ukrainians. People came forward with hot food, medical supplies, clothes, baby food, and free car rides. They have also participated in special missions, bringing vulnerable Ukrainians to their countries, including children stricken with cancer.

These governments continue to step up. They have introduced new measures to permit Ukrainians to work legally, and access public health and social assistance programs. The West therefore must continue to salute their compassion and commitment.

And what about the thousands of brave Russian citizen protestors, who took to their streets against Putin and his war? They were quickly rounded up and many still languish in Russian jails. It takes great courage to openly contest a ruthless dictator like Putin. The protestors knew they were risking a repressive and brutal response. Yet, they did not flinch. They took to the squares in dozens of Russian cities in surprisingly high numbers. They too warm our souls, and we must not forget them either.

Moreover, at the conclusion of this war, efforts must be made to immediately grant Ukraine NATO membership while paving the way, through economic reforms and anti-corruption drives, for entry into the EU. These two ‘prizes’ have been dangled long enough. Without them, Ukraine – and Europe – will never be safe from the Russian bear. No more foot dragging!

As it regards NATO, we last failed to bring in Ukraine at the Summit in Romania, back in 2008. Many observers alleged that the West was not serious and didn’t push hard enough. At the time, many members, especially from Europe, didn’t want to ‘provoke’ Putin. Much good that did us! We cannot repeat this huge error in judgement. There’s just too much at stake.

And as it relates to EU membership, Ukraine has pursued this carrot for many years without anything to show for it. When I was the Canadian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, I recall how hard Ukraine worked at getting inside the EU club. I chaired the WTO Ukrainian Working Party, which is the process for ensuring that each new applicant meets the economic requirements for membership. At the time, Ukraine’s efforts to join the WTO were also aimed at impressing their European counterparts, hoping that entry into the WTO would lead them into the European club. Their political leaders admitted as much to me when I would visit them in Kyiv. Ukraine was formally welcomed into the WTO in May of 2008. But as it concerns EU membership, it is still a case of being on the outside looking in.

The latest Russian aggression has gone on for more than two and half years, when many experts had predicted that Putin would claim Ukraine in two and half weeks. The fact that Ukraine still stands as an independent nation is thanks to an uncompromising Ukrainian spirit. 

Moreover, make no mistake, Ukraine’s battle to defend itself, democracy, and international law, is our fight. If we blink, it will only embolden Putin and other dictators who are closely watching if our actions and resolve match our words.