A World Without Russia?

“Why would we want a world without Russia?”

This is a quote from an interview with Vladimir Putin on RT.com in March 2018. It was around the time that he revealed the extent of his nuclear arsenal to the world. He added:

“A decision on the use of nuclear weapons may only be taken if our ballistic missile attack warning system not only detects a launch, but also predicts that the warheads would hit Russian territory. This is called a retaliation strike,” he said in the interview.

My Thoughts on the War and its Implications

It appears to me that Vladimir Putin operates within an ideology that no one else in the world shares. He claims he is for Russia, but he is prepared to take risks and chances that jeopardise everyone, including the future of his own children, in order to get what he wants - Ukraine as an extension of Russia.

He says NATO caused his response, because sharing borders with NATO Countries presents a risk to his country, yet by taking control of Ukraine, he will be accomplishing exactly what he claims to be defending; creating multiple borders with NATO member states.?

He talks about Ukrainians and Russians being one people, but in practice he has made Ukraine, its culture, its history and its people expendable in the pursuit of his own glory, While we all watch without response.?

Without more help from the rest of the world, all the brave, bold and united Ukrainians fighting for their lives, their values, their freedom and their independence don’t likely stand a chance against a ruthless bully and megalomaniac, and should they give up the fight, they become Russia’s first line of defence in the event of western attack, and his own people have become the victims of Western sanctions, while his egotistical war march continues.

If he is not a war criminal for his actions in Ukraine over the last 8 years, and Georgia before that, we stand no chance of ever having justice for wrong doing on our planet.

Yet, from all evidence, it's not Russia to blame, these actions are the actions of a man claiming to be of and for Russia, but his words are empty and meaningless.

With what we know now, we must take action.

Sustainability and Justice

Sustainable Development Goal #16; Peace, Justice and strong institutions, talks about the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.?

The International Criminal Court will have jurisdiction over this crisis, and have been engaged to review war crimes. Karim Khan - Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, will play an important role in preserving our collective human rights to justice. That said, given the history of this despot in silencing his rivals and challengers, we will need to ensure to protect the integrity of the international criminal court processes for the foreseeable future.

Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the latest in a long list of injustices inflicted upon not only human beings but on all life on our planet, and represents the most immediate clear and present danger to our planet’s future, with the threat that should world war 3 begin, it will be nuclear.?

Yet, it is our failure to deal effectively with other obvious injustices, that have led us to this place with an emboldened super power wielding the might of his nuclear arsenal to take what he wants.?

People have used the shield of their nations or their limited liability companies to commit acts of criminal injustices without accountability or punishment. The existence and use of Guantanamo bay springs to mind, as there has been much documented about the atrocities committed there, and in other parts of the world.?

What power does the UN or the International Criminal Court have to actually execute their mandates in line with what we claim to believe in?

We live in a finite world, with finite resources, and this has meant that war and greed have always shaped our decision making. To commit to sustainable development means to decouple ourselves from wealth accumulation, and focus on fairer and more evenly distributed development. Who is willing to do this?

Vision For a New World

We are weak and susceptible when we have only one superpower. Whether that one is Russia, the US, or other yet to emerge, we cannot sustain life in a world where one individual or even one nation can decide our future. The fight for self determination of the Ukrainian people only has meaning if we all support it, and if we all respond and act when our rights are infringed upon, anywhere we are in the world. This includes the Russian people and those in the US as well, and the rest of us around the world.

A world led by the super wealthy is a world where some lives matter and not others.?

We are entering a period where our individual choices matter more than ever to our shared and collective future on earth, or life beyond earth.?

It is our duty to make informed choices, and to fight inequality and injustice whenever and wherever we encounter it. The next few years are critical, and no matter what we choose there is no easy ride.?

Our Values Have Never Been More Important to Defend

I applaud all the individuals and businesses that have taken action to offer support in these times. I also implore us all to realise that there is no going back to a world before 24th February 2022, and this means that everything is on the table, there is nothing you cannot influence.

Actions we need to take.

1. Lobby our governments. Write to your local MP to expand your involvement in not just the Ukrainian refugee crisis, but all refugee crises.
2. Recognise that all your wealth wherever you have it - real estate, bitcoin, the bank, shares, it’s all in jeopardy when there is a megalomaniac oppressor who is doing everything in his power to minimise yours. Use your money to further the causes of justice and governance wherever you can.
3. Adapt your business models. Include ways to create more net positive impact with the work that you do.?
4. Adapt your careers. Work on causes not on profits. Give of our skills and talents to the pursuit of fairness and justice.
5. Open your hearts and your doors. Help people, animals, and other forms of life that are adversely impacted by our very human choices.
6. End this racism and fear of what is different, if it is not jeopardising your right to exist!?

Let's Appeal to the UN, the EU and NATO

We need to protect the sovereignty of people, and the interest of a just world in more ways than economic sanctions. We must be prepared to take hard choices, because hard choices are all we have left.

We need to stop being complicit, and accommodating, and unjust in the way we apply and comply with international law, and we need to be active in influencing and developing that law. The game is only infinite, if we find a way to play it fairly and with deep consideration for our future.

Share with me your thoughts in the comments below.