Harrowing images of unimaginable suffering
By Pat Rabbitte, former Minister and TD
The harrowing images of unimaginable suffering coming out of Ukraine confront people everywhere with a nightmare we never thought that we would see again in Europe.
The world appears taken aback at such a blatant attack on a civilised democracy. Putin too seems taken aback by the patriotism and courage of ordinary Ukranians.
Some observers believed that Putin would take a bite out of Ukraine just as he did in Georgia and when he annexed Crimea.
That misunderstands Putin’s mindset. He wants to see the Russian empire, first under the Czar and then under the Soviet Union, restored.
He is a tyrant surrounded by yes men and gangsters but he is not irrational and he is not a madman.
If he was allowed succeed before why would he not try again? Therefore the objective is regime change.
Topple the Ukranian government whatever the cost in human life and replace it with a puppet government as he has effectively done in Belarus.
The debate here trying to pressurise the Irish government into sending lethal weapons to the Ukranian resistance is misconceived.
We are a neutral country and we can demonstrate our solidarity with the Ukranian people in several pragmatic meaningful ways.
Pat Rabbitte, former Minister and TD writes in The Echo this week
Our artillery arsenal would in any event make little difference.
However, the reason the EU is promoting two separate funds – one for the supply of weaponry and the other for humanitarian support (finance, medical supplies, expertise) – is to allow member states like Ireland to contribute to one fund or the other. Both are essential.
In addition our pragmatic solidarity means admitting as many people fleeing the war zone as possible.
Ordinary citizens can contribute for relief to the Red Cross and demonstrate our revulsion at Putin’s brazen attack on an innocent people.
Not only has Putin underestimated the courage of ordinary Ukranians but he has underestimated the way sanctions can bite when the international community gets serious about such measures.
Yes there will be negative economic kickbacks for European economies.
But short of risking a nuclear war these are the sacrifices we must be prepared to make.
Petrol is rising on the forecourts and prices generally are rising but civilised Europe cannot lie down under Putin’s jackboot.
Putin is also underestimating the impact on his own people who are fed a diet of propaganda and lies from the front. But more and more Russians are getting access to the unfolding tragedy.
More and more Russians will suffer the economic consequences of the sanctions in the weeks and months ahead.
Therein lies the real danger for Putin: the prospect of his own people rising up against him.
The brave decisions of the new German chancellor are to be applauded given the heavy dependence of Germany on Russian gas.
If he and his fellow leaders can tighten the noose on the oligarchs who robbed the natural wealth of Russia and salted it away in western capitals – especially in London and Switzerland – then Putin ultimately will have to think again.
