238: UKRAINE CRISIS: A GAME OF DOG AND THE BONE

Pic Courtesy: Aljazeera

Ukraine, since independence in 1991 has been torn between its former Soviet masters (Russia) and the Western institutions (NATO) it wants to join.

 

Historical Background

Independence. In December 1991, Ukraine voted in favour of independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Russian President Boris Yeltsin accepted the vote and Russia, Ukraine and Belarus set up a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

(Process of fall of the mighty Russian empire – USSR)

 

Agreement. In the aftermath of the end of the Cold War, Ukraine, Russia, the UK and the US in December 1994 agreed to respect the independence, sovereignty and borders of Ukraine. The agreement was in exchange for Ukraine abandoning the nuclear weapons it inherited from the Soviet Union.

(Action justified as it was required to control Nuclear Proliferation.)

 

Friendship Treaty. In May 1997 Russia and Ukraine signed a friendship treaty. It settled a key disagreement and allowed Russia to retain ownership of the majority of ships in the Black Sea fleet (based in Ukraine’s Crimea) in exchange of Moscow paying Kyiv a modest rent to use the port of Sebastopol. Moscow also remained Kyiv’s most important commercial partner, with Ukraine totally dependent on Russian oil and gas.

(Treaty heavily in favour of Russia – but Ukraine had to accept it)

 

Economic Push and Pull.

In 2003, Ukraine signed an accord with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on a Common Economic Space. Western bloc showed displeasure indicating that these actions could hinder Ukraine’s rapprochement with the bloc and its membership to the World Trade Organization.

(Economic factors are big drivers of the geopolitics and foreign affairs).

 

Russia and Ukraine were engaged in several disputes, notably over gas in 2006 and 2009 which disrupt Europe’s energy supplies.

(Wheels within wheels)

 

Main Bone Of Contention

Perceiving the CIS as an attempt to bring ex-Soviet republics under Moscow’s control, Ukraine always takes a lukewarm approach to it. Its tilt is towards the West and it seeks ties with the US-led NATO military alliance.

(This is not palatable to Russia. The question is how far it would go to retain control of its erstwhile state)

 

Domestic See Saw

For 10 years under the leadership of Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine staggered between the Eastern and the western bloc.

 

Orange Revolution.  Ukraine’s 2004 presidential election was marred by fraud and the victory of the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych provoked unprecedented protests in the peaceful Orange Revolution.

(Classic case of one country meddling in the elections of another one).

 

Western Tilt and Push. The uproar led to the election results being cancelled and pro-Western opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko (who was the victim of a mysterious dioxin poisoning during the campaign), became president.  Yuschenko swiftly reiterated Ukraine’s wish to join the EU, along with NATO. In 2008 at a summit in Bucharest, NATO leaders agreed that Ukraine has a future in the alliance, sparking Moscow’s ire.

(Majority always prevails)

 

Eastern Attempt & Pro-European uprising. Yanukovych got elected as president in 2010, and in November 2013 he suspended the talks on a trade pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. This sparked a massive protest by pro-European opposition groups demanding that the pro-Russian president quits. The uprising, centred on Kyiv’s Independence Square, came to a head in February 2014 when police fired on the protesters. Around 100 demonstrators and 20 police officers died during the three-month uprising. Finally, Yanukovych fled to Russia and was impeached.

(Russian desperation to retain control is evident)

 

Annexation and War: Further Souring Of Relations.

Pic Courtesy: Internet

In 2014, Russia sent its Special Forces to take control of strategic sites on Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula. In March 2014 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty absorbing Crimea into Russia. The annexation provoked the worst diplomatic crisis between the West and Russia,  since the fall of the Soviet Union.

(Nibbling Starts)

 

Genesis of Current Crisis

In April 2014, a pro-Russian rebellion erupted in Ukraine’s industrial eastern areas. Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Lugansk declare their regions to be independent. Ukraine and its Western allies accused Russia of instigating the uprising and pouring in arms and troops to bolster the self-proclaimed republics. The clashes became a full-blown conflict in May 2014. This conflict has left more than 14,000 people dead.

 

Present Situation

After massing tens of thousands of soldiers on Ukraine’s borders, Putin on February 21, 2022 recognises the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk.

 

Bottom Line

Russia seems to go to any length to retain control over its erstwhile states.

Russia seems to be following the Chinese policy of nibbling (The difference being instead of Salami slicing it is resorting to nibbling and gobbling up bigger chunks).

 

Question

Where will this East versus West clash of interest lead to?

When will this East versus West clash end?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

Links to previous posts on the subject:

RUSSIA – UKRAINE CRISIS ESCALATES (24 FEB 22)

Latest on Ukraine-Russia Conflict (23 Feb 22)

 

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

References and credits

To all the online news channels.

 

231: SHIQURDU 24 : इश्क़

 

 

136

इबादत और इश्क़ बेहद करो,

हदें तो सरहदों की होती है

दिलों की नहीं.

 

 

137

इश्क़ भी और सुकून भी

 अमावस की रात में चाँद भी

 

 

138

इश्क़

 रूह में समा जाना

या

सांसों में बिखर जाना

 

 

139

इश्क़ इश्क़ होता हैं

ये

हर किसी को

हर किसी से

नहीं होता !

 

 

140

इश्क़ में क्या देखा?

उसे देखा और

उसके बाद कुछ नहीं देखा

 

 

  • Shiqurdu is a collection of thoughts. Although an odd sounding name, but felt appropriate for the collection.

 

  • These are simplified quotes in Hurdu (Hurdu being a mix of Hindi and Urdu akin to Hinglish i.e., hindi and english). Although in some cases the language has been simplified but attempt has been made to retain the thought and the poetic flavor.

 

  • These thoughts have been picked up from various publications. Credit goes to all the original writers who penned down these deep meaning messages.

 

 

Comments  and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

 

 

225: Knowing Nanak

May GURU fill your life with Eternal Joy & Happiness.

 

Guru Nanak ji was born as Nanak on 15 April 1469. He is the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak.

 

Nanak is said to have travelled far and wide across Asia teaching people the message of ik onkar (ੴ, ‘one God’), who dwells in every one of his creations and constitutes the eternal Truth. With this concept, he set up a unique spiritual, social, and political platform based on equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue.

 

Nanak’s words are registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns, or shabda, in the holy text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib.

 

The significance of his teachings was to trust in your good Karma and one higher power. One of the most essential Guru Nanak dev Ji teachings is his belief in brotherhood and equality.

 

Some of his teachings are as follows:-

  • One supreme reality- Ek Onkar. Ek Onkar, in literal terms, means ‘God is One.’ At a very young age, Guru Nanak Ji challenged societal rules and laws. And when he formed Sikhism, he emphasized One God.

 

  • No discrimination. One of the most essential Guru Nanak dev Ji teachings is his belief in brotherhood and equality. He considered everyone equals irrespective of colour, caste, gender, status, religion, or rank. His two pupils were Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala, who Guru Nanak addressed as ‘Bhai’ like his true brothers and not by their caste or race.

 

  • Reject five sins ‘Panj Vikar’. Guru Nanak Dev Ji talked about the five evils that resided in the human body and mind. And he taught us to reject these five evils or thieves as they derelict us from our duties and weaken us. The five sins are Kam(lust), Krodh(Anger), Lobh(greed), Moh(attachment), and Ahankar(Ego).

 

  • Kirat Karo- Work Honestly. Kirat Karo means to work honestly, which is one of the most important pillars of Sikhism. Throughout his life, Guru Nanak Ji propagated that all humans need to earn their daily living through honest means and use their talents and skills to live an honest life.

 

  • Vand Shhako- Share and Consume. Guru Nanak Dev Ji believed that those who were capable should take responsibility for the needy. He taught us the significance of sharing and how the world could become a better place if people engage in activities meant for the betterment of society.

 

  • Sewa- Selfless Service. Guru Nanak Dev Ji firmly always believed and practised selfless service. He thought that one could achieve true contentment only through engaging in completely selfless acts.

 

  • Kindness and compassion. Guru Nanak Dev Ji truly believed that only kindness and compassion could positively influence and change the whole world. By his actions, he proved his strong belief in the idea that every person of this world, no matter how evil, deserves kindness from his other fellow creatures and that can change a person for good. 

 

  • Every life has a purpose to fulfil. Guru Nanak Dev Ji believed that God had a clear goal behind world creation. Therefore, all the dilemmas in your life can turn into something productive if you look at the world this way.

 

  • Stand against oppression. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught all of us a lesson of inner strength. He said one should always raise their voice against the wrong and and that’s when the change begins.

 

  • Respect Women. Guru Nanak Dev Ji has always stood for the rights of women. In one of his earlier verses, he demanded an equal place for women in society by saying, ”why to disrespect the one who gives birth to the majestic kings of the world”. 

 

Bottom Line

Most of his teachings point toward one word

TOLERANCE.

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

English हिंदी