Russia is now unleashing its massive military assault on Ukraine and shattering every international norm in the process. Putin himself has shocked the world with his authoritarian actions and rhetoric. We are watching the blind rage of megalomania played out on a world stage. The only voice that seems to resonate in this madness is that of Putin himself. There has, however, been one voice that seemed to embody the best of our international and law values. It is the voice of Kenyan U.N. Ambassador Martin Kimani. While many of you have likely heard parts of his incredible address, I thought that this would be an important time to hear his remarks, which include criticism of all of the world powers.
Here are his remarks on the violent thrashing of “dead empires.”
Notably, Kimani has a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire (1996). He also a master’s degree (2003) and a PhD (2013) from King’s College and the University of London.
So…all countries are moral and political equals when it is convenient, but not when it is not?
Here is a moral equivalence: why is it OK for Russia to have nuclear weapons but not Ukraine?
Jane Lytvynenko:
“Important resource
“Ukrainians put together a list of resources on how foreigners can help. There are all reputable organizations doing good work. Spread far and wide: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/“
Putin likes to twist and distort words and definitions, such as declaring that Luhansk and Donetsk are indepedent nations. NATO can play that game, too: NATO can simply declare that would-be NATO members are just as good as current members, and voila! Now Ukraine is a NATO member!
By the wayTurley is frothing at the mouth about the “mad” Putin, you’d think he’s getting his news from CNN. Clearly he doesn’t have any understanding about the history of Ukraine and the Donbas. What’s happening in the Ukraine now is a direct consequence of Western actions. From the 2014 Western-sponsored coup that overthrew a democratically elected president because he sought trade relations with Russia instead of the EU, to the arming of Ukraine with lethal weapons under Trump and Biden, to the blocking of the Minsk agreement, to the current move by the Biden administration to give the neo-Nazi Ukrainian military the green light to make a final genocidal assault on the Donbas — the West has been pulling all the strings. There are solid reasons why the Donbas broke away from the Ukraine and formed autonomous zones — think “Jim Crow” and “apartheid” rolled into one. Those armchair military geniuses claiming that this is just a “land grab” and that Putin wants to “take over” Ukraine never explain how Russia, with a 1-million person army, would control 44 million hostile people after a takeover. If Russia really wanted to “grab” Ukraine, they wouldn’t send in a few ground troops — they could do their damage from within their own boundaries. If they have missiles that could reach the US, surely they have a few that could reach Kiev. A simpler explanation is that the Russians are setting up a deterrent force in the Donbas to protect the Russian-speakers there from a guaranteed slaughter, and to prevent any further buildup of weapons by the neo-nazis. If the Russians didn’t act now, the US would certainly weaponize Ukraine further, maybe even with nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, the hapless US president and too many Americans who have never read a single book about the Ukraine, are falling for the war spin once again. Who says you can’t fool all of the people all of the time!
This is mindless. In 1994, Russia agreed unconditionally and without reservation to respect the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of Ukraine. The only casus belli is that Putin took power, he disagrees with his country’s decision and he’s disabled his domestic opposition.
The Russians already have their military assets, so what good will more sanctions do?
If we had done what was good for America and the working American family, this war would never have occurred.
1) America is at its strongest when its economy is healthy. No one wants to fight a healthy American economy. (Look at our production capacity in WW2)
2) America has shown itself to be weak under the Biden administration. Afghanistan is just one example. Weakness and lack of understandable policy cause wars because potential enemies cannot assess one another. (See WW2. Add up populations, productive capacities etc. Would Germany have gone to war if they did this?)
3) A recognition of spheres of influence provides a barrier between two powerful nations, so their nuclear and other weapons are far apart instead of being right next to one another.
4) NATO is a weak organization. The strongest nation of NATO outside of the US is Germany. They are reluctant to provide active support and rely on Russia for oil.
5) In this specific case, Russia was economically unstable and unable to fight a protracted war not long ago. The Biden administration’s management of oil resources and other things has made Russia rich enough to fight a war in Ukraine. This war is Biden’s war.
6) History, often forgotten, informs us of the questionable boundaries we face. I don’t object to the present boundaries, but if we don’t recognize history, we don’t acknowledge the relationships we require with our enemies. Right or wrong, Ukraine’s consideration for NATO membership places Russia’s belly in an unenviable position. To create stability, America and Russia must recognize the history and the fears each country faces.
7) Our mistake regarding Russia was when the press popularized the notion of the ‘peace dividend.’ There never was a peace dividend for many reasons, including new instabilities that arose. Our job was and is to keep Russia and China apart. The left pushed them together.
Many TV pundits said there would not ben an invasion. They were wrong. These pundits should be fined for being wrong, and the proceeds should go to the Ukraine military.
There is a video from Ukraine showing a Russian tank convoy destroyed.
The only weapon that could inflict that kind of damage would be the A-10 Thunderbolt.
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-kharkiv-putin-war-conflict-invasion-1682246
His speech is based on the assumption that the people of these provinces seek to become part of Russia, and that Russia is pursuing that end. “It is natural for people to seek to rejoin their people,” or words to that effect. That is not what is happening. These provinces voted to become INDEPENDENT REPUBLICS. They do not seek to become part of Russia, and Russia is not seeking to incorporate them.
How is Russia “shattering every international norm” in recognizing the “Right to Self Determination, which is part of the original charter of the United Nations? The populations of these two provinces voted not to remain under toe oppressive government of Ukraine. Why was the United States not “shattering every international norm” when it recognized the independence of Kosovo when it declared independence from Serbia in 2008?
Isolationists believe that troops don’t belong anywhere, which is unreasonable and unrealistic.
NATO has a lot of impressive weaponry, but does it have the will to use it?
That was a thoughtful statement by the Ambassador from Kenya. International law is either acceptable or not acceptable. If acceptable, Russia is violating international law since a nation must vote when it wishes to give part of its territory away.
Crimea is not a part of Russia, according to international law. Russia is an illegal occupier of Crimea.
Putin’s goals seem to be uncertain at present. Will he take all of Ukraine, or will there end up with an agreement where Ukraine’ gives up Luhansk and Donetsk or even more if Putin wants Mariupol and a land bridge to the Crimea?
One thing is clear. Biden has increased Putin’s appetite and made war more likely.
This attack is no one but Vladimir Putin’s fault, but as you desperately try to blame Joe Biden, who is on Ukraine’s side, keep in mind that this week Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin a “genius” and the invasion “very savvy” and “smart.” Trump is on Putin’s side, but yeah, blame Biden.
You aren’t demonstrating much knowledge of the situation. No one doubts Putin’s desires or ambitions. He is a thug, but a predictable one. He indeed ordered his troops forward. That is not the question. How did he get the idea that he could achieve his objectives? That idea comes from a weak American President, Joe Biden. Putin’s ability to pay for the war also comes from Joe Biden’s actions with oil.
Donald Trump was doing the right thing. He wanted to keep China and Russia from getting close together. They are historical enemies, but Biden managed to make them partners. There is no use in explaining what is happening to one with so little knowledge of history and politics.
A longer explanation was written on the blog earlier today. It listed 7 points. Deal with them.
https://jonathanturley.org/2022/02/24/as-madness-reigns-in-russia-a-voice-of-wisdom-from-kenya/comment-page-2/#comment-2161601
Nice speech. But if you believe Putin gives a damn aboutwhat was sais you are naive.
Where would llegal immigrants rather immigrate to: the United States or Russia? Why do you suppose this is?
Isolationists should be put into solitary confinement, if they like being isolated so much.
Some people overuse the word isolationist to mean a refusal to send troops where one’s troops don’t belong. If that is the case, you have little understanding of international affairs.
Yeah, then you can shot them all up with your deadly mRNA Gene Therapy Bug Juice Boosters.
BTW: How about the Govt/Dope Dealing Pharma turn over to the public the Docs on their Bug Juice!
Why aren’t we sending transports to airlift fleeing Ukrainians to the United States as we did in Afghanistan or directing them to our southern border as asylum seekers? They would certainly and legitimately fit as asylum seekers?
A wad of paper thrown at scissors does no harm to the scissors.
A nuclear world war is on the way!
Make the Russians pay.
Send lots of American bombers with our pilots, lots of missiles and be ready to attack from NATO countries if netwit builds up troops on their borders.
Poland:
Get tuff.