Sajjad Ahmad Khan
China on Tuesday also felicitated Shahbaz Sharif on his election as the new prime minister of Pakistan
It would be a historic misreckoning to take the Russia and Ukraine conflict for an ordinary border skirmish between the two countries. This is a very serious matter between the two states in which the clandestine role of the United States and NATO cannot be left undone or pushed aside. It is simple as ABC to think through the outcome of this battle but is extremely operose to vaticinate which way this battle will hit on and what will be the end result. Russia has said it in a very simple tone of voice that it took this “hawkish intrusive action” to stonewall its borders from the Ukraine and NATO’s put-up job. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine, President Putin had focused on the eastern Ukrainian states of Luhansk and Donetsk, claiming that independence was the constitutional right of the two states. Putin’s stance has raised the temperature in Ukraine and pro-NATO countries. But the domineering manner in which Moscow attacked Ukraine definitely suggests that it was not merely an attack on Ukraine, but a warning to the West to abandon its high-handed tactics.
The kinship and conspiracy between the United States and Kyiv was one of the major causes of the invasion and aggression against Ukraine. The United States was expanding ties with Georgia and other Warsaw Pact countries. Russia understands that the United States still dreams of becoming a unipolar power. And for Russia’s own supremacy, Moscow will have to shatter this dream of Pentagon in any case. The United States has gained unprecedented economic and military dominance in the world, which has also caused a great deal of controversy in Russia. The US has already encouraged NATO expansion on Russia’s doorstep. The United States challenged Russia in the Middle East and strengthen the Quad. The United States is particularly alarmed by the rising tide of China and Russia. That is why the United States and Europe have tightened their grip on Russia’s economic sanctions, including blocking the Meganord Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The Quad includes India, Japan, Australia and the United States. Apart from India, three other members of the Quad consider Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a blatant violation of international law.
Mr. Biden and his followers have launched a global crusade to isolate Russia politically and financially. Japan and Australia stand firm against economic sanctions on Russia, but India is the only Quad member state that is not openly in opposition of sanctions against Russia for various reasons. The New Delhi never wants to upset Russia. There are approximately 15,000 Indian students studying in Russia. India does not want to jeopardize the future of her students. The Indian government is in constant touch with the Russian authorities to relocate the students residing in Russia to a safe place and to ensure their safety at all cost. India and Russia have a long history of friendship, dating back to the Cold War. Therefore, India will never issue a statement about Putin that would peeve his mood. In addition, it is still ingrained in India’s mind that if Delhi’s relations with Pakistan or China ever deteriorate, Moscow will put its weight behind India. India never wants to abrade its ties with Russia, as Delhi has already signed defence agreements with Moscow. It must be underlined here that it buys more arms from Russia than any other country, so India will make every effort to establish further relations with Russia.
Following the Russian aggression, the World Bank has taken a hard line against Russia and is a bit gung-ho to impose economic sanctions on Moscow. Since the bank keeps the faith that the effects of this war will not be limited to Russia and Ukraine only, but the entire region could suffer economic hardships. According to a report, Ukraine’s economy will drop off by 45.1% this year, while Russia will face an 11.2% decline in GDP.
The most horrific chapter in this real novel of war is the violation of human rights. Because the greatest losses in war are borne by those who are not part of the war, that is, children, women and the elderly. So far, more than 4 million Ukrainians have fled the war and have taken refuge in Poland, Romania and Moldova. These people are looking towards humanitarian aid with longing eyes.
Unlike in the past, Pakistan is not becoming a part of any ‘international political bloc’ but is playing a neutral role. This decision of Pakistan was welcomed by the majority. In the past, during the Cold War, Pakistan muddled itself with the American camp which has proved itself to be a huge political irreversible blooper.
The flames of the Russia-Ukraine war are so intense that they could turn Europe’s peace and stability into ashes. So the international community has stepped up efforts to reach a settlement between the two countries, given the galloping losses in Russia and Ukraine. In this regard, the Turkish Foreign Minister visited Moscow and Kyiv. Turkish Foreign Minister has expressed hope for peace. Reports say that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on ceasefire. The European Union has put into cents that China should play its cooperative role as a mediator. However, no significant progress has been made so far. According to a United Nations report at least 902 civilians have been killed and 1,459 wounded since the war began on February 24, but there is fear that the actual toll could be much higher. In addition, thousands of soldiers have lost their lives. About 10 million Ukrainians have fled their homes and moved to safer places, while more than 3 million have taken refuge in other countries. Sadly, the RussiaKraine war has the potential to plunge the entire region into the abyss of poverty. International reports say that in coming few months the region’s economy will fall by about 9 percent. As a result of this crisis, 75% of Ukraine and 20% of Russia will suffer economic crunch plus losses. Comparatively, this economic shock will cause more damage than the global crisis of 2008. Britain upbraided Moscow, saying that country is hankering after installing a toy-puppet government in Ukraine, but Russia has called the statement a “ridiculous” bunkum. It seems that the love affair between Ukraine and NATO is turning lackadaisical with the passage of time. Because Ukraine has made it clear that it will relinquish its desire to become a permanent member of NATO if its demand -for security- is guaranteed. Plus, Ukraine has shaken on that it will no longer challenge the official status of the Russian language.
