The Youths of Nagaland share their views with Mokokchung Times regarding the ongoing Geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine.
MTNews: What is your understanding of present Russian-Ukraine crisis?
Moa, Postgraduate: I look at it as a power play between the West and Russia, with Ukraine unfortunately being the playground of the face off. That said, international law and order must be respected and maintained by every country. In the end, it is the common man that pays the price on both sides.
Rike, Graduate: I think the crisis is mainly because of Ukraine leaning towards West. And Russia doesn’t want her former Soviet member to be a critic to its power.
Kaiho, MSc (Agri): President Zelenskyy’s emotional speech stating “the fate of the country depends fully on our army, security forces, all of our defenders,” confirms a pandora of crisis that’s going on. Meanwhile, Russia unleashing heavy air strikes in cities and military bases of Ukraine, sending tanks and soldiers from three sides, is enough confirmation to witness a change in global Post-Cold war Security order.
Along Longchar: As far as I can understand, this conflict was going to start sooner or later for varied reasons. After reading the different news reports, views and analysis in the media, I cannot help but accept the fact that this is a conflict of interests between two opposing ideas propelled by the remnants of the cold war between the East and the West. It is also driven by the western propaganda of portraying everything about Russia through a prism of the old Soviet regime while propagating the western style of ‘Democracy’ as everything good under the universe. The West, led by America and the European countries, still look upon Russia as the biggest threat, which in turn threaten, and rightly so, the Russian Federation. Therefore, so long as the west continued to look at Russia as a security threat, this conflict was about to happen. It was just a question of when. And surely, Russia would not back down now without accomplishing what it intend to achieve.
MTNews: Are you satisfied with India’s diplomatic stand in the Russia-Ukraine crisis?
Moa, Postgraduate: India needs to be clever. Ideally, it is not okay for any country to remain silent when any country invades another sovereign country. But in reality, this is not one of a kind happening unfortunately. The US has done and continues to do many similar operations with the world watching idly in silence. I am not saying because the US does it, Russia can do it too. It should never be a race to who is the worst offender. But, for India’s strategic advantage, it is better for her to remain neutral and encourage both parties to the negotiating table. That is where Indian efforts should focus on and more needs to be done in this area.
Rike, Graduate: For India, the greatest threat is China. And, it is hard for India to stand against Russia because India needs Russia to counterweight against Chinese aggression, but at the same time, standing on the fence dor not help either.
Kaiho, MSc (Agri): Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has particularly put India in a very tight spot, and with India avoiding to take sides, this cautious steps might cost India’s interest in the long run. I am not an expert in geopolitics, can’t say much. However I am not satisfied with India’s “Neutral” stand, which was confirmed by Junior Minister of External Affairs, Rajkumar Singh, hours after Russian troops and tanks crossed Ukraine. The country’s position is different from NATO, yet it has remained quite soft on the issues concerning Russia. The Quad meeting at Melbourne in February on Ukraine crisis showed us India and US were not on the same page. India’s reluctance to condemn Russia has evoked criticism which is quite natural.
Yes, I can understand the dependence of India on Russia for Oil and the economic volatility it will create in India’s own National Politics but as a human being can’t simply stand still and not condemn the “naked aggression” on Ukraine which is quite disturbing.
Along Longchar: For once, I am totally satisfied with the diplomatic stance taken by India at the UNSC, by abstaining to vote, condemning the Russian action in Ukraine. It is good that India remembers Russia as an all weather friend, supplying much of the armaments for the Indian security forces. It was in 1971, during the Bangladesh War of Independence, Russia was the only country that came to India’s rescue when the United States with its aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, and the British navy, tried to corner Indian naval forces in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea respectively. India should never trust the Americans. Look at what they have done to other countries worldwide – Vietnam, Laos, Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and so on. They are fair weather friends who only are consumed by self interests. Russians? India knows better and old trusted friends are hard to come by. So, it is Indian diplomacy at its best.
MTNews: Do you think Economic sanctions on Russia by the US and the ally is justified? Why or Why not?
Moa, Postgraduate: It is not a surprise coming from the US or the West. They hand out sanctions left and right for everything, whether unilateral or in agreement with other countries of the world. If the sanctions hurt the common people in the targeted country, such sanctions are never justified and should never be supported.
Kaiho, MSc (Agri): Sanctions are the toughest measures nations can use, short statement of going to war. Economic sanctions are multidimensional in nature including travel bans and financial sanctions which will lead to freezing of assets and further sanctions on variety of financial markets & services for Russia.
Yes, I believe that the sanctions on Russia are justified as the invasion of Ukraine is a threat to international peace and security. The measures undertaken are absolutely necessary to prevent Russia from violating Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and from causing rampant violation of human rights.
Rike, Graduate: The sanctions against Russia by US has targeted the sovereign debt of Russia and two financial institutions of the country, which includes the military bank of Russia. US and others countries and organizations has criticized Russin’s decision to recognize Donetsk’s and Luhansk’s independence and the authorizing of the deployment of Russia troops under the guise of maintaining peace in the region. The crisis that the world is witnessing currently, is unstoppable, unless other super powers participate, not by repeating history of creating wars, but by isolating the country that poses danger. Hence, the sanction is justified to bring Peace.
Along Longchar: What can the West do apart from imposing sanctions? Maybe it is justified maybe it is not. But one thing is for sure, economic activities is a two way process and it will also affect the European countries in some aspect. However, instead of sanctions, the US and its allies should have explored some other means, namely, diplomacy. It seems the West was just waiting eagerly to place the sanctions. Who knows it might just aggravate the situation even more. Remember, on July 26, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt seized all Japanese assets in the United States in retaliation to the Japanese occupation of French Indo-China. On July 24, Tokyo decided to strengthen its position by invading China and moving towards Southeast Asia. The result was a world war. So, is it not history repeating itself? God forbid, but as a wise saying goes, ‘history repeats because men do not learn from history’.
MTNews: Do you believe that certain actions by Russia and NATO can bring peace in Ukraine?
Moa, Postgraduate: Russia should recognize Ukraine and other CIS countries as sovereign countries and respect their rights. Ukraine should allow the regions that wishes to be a part of Russia, to decide for themselves. The West and the US should stop their military activities in neighboring countries of Russia, even if they are NATO member countries.
Kaiho, MSc (Agri): As per the Hindustan times, NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defense and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict. Ukraine has been repeatedly expressing its ambhition to be a part of NATO. They even applied for a membership in 2008.The present crisis behind Ukraine is being blamed by Putin on NATO and western countries, to expand their influence in the area. In the case of non-member Ukraine, it is unimaginable what NATO can place on the table, despite the peaceful talks with Russia, or the assurance on its non-influence in its territorial regions.
Further, serious financial pressure, including a crash in crucial gas exports, as well as “targeted sanctions” against various Russian economic sectors, which will hurt in the long run, might do the trick, but as someone stated “there’s no inner circle” for Putin. It’s just Putin’s self-minded policy for the naked aggression towards Ukraine. So we can never project exactly what certain actions can bring peace in Ukraine, besides “Prayer.”
Rike, Graduate: Both Russia and NATO has their own interest in occupying Ukraine or keeping Ukraine in its umbrella. Both of them have major military interest. Its geographical area also pose crucial benefits. Ukraine can be an access for NATO for its military deployment to counter Russia, and also Crimea, the 2nd largest gas reserve, can be a boon to European countries. Russia cannot lose Ukraine because of historical ties, and military and economic benefits.
Whatever the reason may be for the war, Russia cannot justify its act. Putin wanted to revive Russian Imperialism. He does not realize the world has moved on. Ukraine’s independence must be respected.
Along Longchar: Yes. Diplomacy should take centre stage. And NATO should also look at Russia’s concern in a realistic manner.