Today, the Deutsche Welle News site posted two interviews focusing on the wider significance of the Ukraine crisis.
The crisis is presented as a conflict between competing human ideologies. And it is. However, a case can be made for it being a reflection of so much more.
The Mercouris Viewpoint
The headline for the interview with Alexander Mercouris — former human rights lawyer and the International Affairs Editor of Russia Insider — reads,
“Ukraine: Another crisis for ‘Europe’s bread basket’”
Mercouris says,
“We have two completely different visions of Ukraine, which have increasingly little connection with the lives that ordinary people are living, which are becoming ever harder.”
He elaborated on what Ukraine could be under the right conditions.
“If these two blocs, the EU and Russia, came together in Ukraine, the country’s potential would be enormous. … It could provide a bridge between these two great regions, and have a consolidating role for Europe.”
It’s a promising picture of what Ukraine can be if man were to have “such a heart” in him.
Snyder’s Perspective
The headline for other interview with Timothy Snyder — a Yale professor of Eastern European history — reads,
“The “long goal is to weaken the EU …”
Snyder says,
“The conflict with Ukraine began with the Russian invasion of Crimea, it continues with the Russian intervention in southeastern Ukraine which coincides with a rhetorical, material and ideological campaign against the European Union itself.”
He feels,
“It’s perfectly appropriate for the Chancellor of Germany or the President of France or leaders of other European member states to try to negotiate these deals – it’s better than not trying.”
However, he adds regarding the deals,
“But of course, the fact that they can’t work, the fact that even in the truce, the Russian side doesn’t accept responsibility for what it’s done, that’s also a lesson there to be learned.”
And Snyder concludes by saying,
“Ultimately, the contest between Russia and Europe is about the rule of law. Ukraine is a testing ground.”
It is about the rule of law, but not theirs. Again, humanity is demonstrating that we are unable to competently govern ourselves.
Some of the governance concepts man has conceived may sound lofty initially; but, in practice, all inevitably degenerate. And, so the cycle of oppression and revolt starts all over again.
It’s a part of the big lesson we have, since the beginning of man’s time on earth, insisted on learning the hard way.
Kiev Photo Credit: Steven McNeil and Ukraine Soldier Photo Credit: K. Aksov
Read the breadbasket interview here
Read the long goal interview here
