Biased Western Mediation Created Fiasco in Ukraine (Xinhua, China)
How much of the crisis in Ukraine is a result of a deliberate Western
strategy to install a pro-Western government in Kiev? This column from China's
state-run Xinhua is fully in step with Russia's position: the West 'deluded' itself into believing that it still had the cash
and moral authority to pull off a regime change.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Xingping share the same suspicions about U.S. meddling in the affairs of other nations. Ukraine is no exception.
BEIJING:
For one brief moment, Western leaders may have stopped to congratulate
themselves for their "accomplishments" in Ukraine. With their
backing, Ukrainian opposition protesters successfully toppled the pro-Russian
government, forcing out a president they loathed and dealing a humiliating blow
to the Kremlin. Shortly later, Russia struck back.
The
West almost scored a major victory in this latest geopolitical fight, but
things didn't turn out that way.
Now,
with Russian military personnel deployed in eastern Ukraine protecting Russia's
legitimate interests, and pro-Russia regions clamoring to break away from Kiev,
Ukraine is teetering on the brink of total chaos and disintegration.
The
West's strategy for installing a so-called democratic and pro-Western government
has gotten it nowhere. On the contrary, it has created a mess they don't
have the capacity or wisdom to clean up. From the beginning, their ill-fated
plan was fundamentally flawed.
First,
when under the cliché of supporting democracy it interfered with Ukrainian affairs
by engaging in a biased mediation effort, they were destined to shoot themselves
in the foot.
Second,
they underestimated Russia's will to protect its core interests. Russia may no
longer be interested in competing with the West for global preeminence, but
when it comes to cleaning a mess the West created in its backyard, Russian
leaders again proved their credibility and shrewdness in planning and executing
effective countermeasures.
Last
but not least, Western leaders deluded themselves into believing that with
their diminished moral authority and shrinking coffers, such a grand task of
nation-building could be accomplished.
Posted By
Worldmeets.US
Sadly,
the victims in this grueling process are the people of Ukraine. The Ukrainian
people, instead of the democracy and prosperity promised by the West, see for their
beloved country only political confusion and economic depression.
The
West, too, is a loser, as the fiasco is guaranteed to further erode its
credibility.
For
the rest of the world, people once again watch as another great country is torn
apart thanks to the clumsiness and selfishness of a West that boasts of lofty
ideals but in practice always comes up short.
However,
excessive pessimism is uncalled for. The game in Ukraine is far from over and the
international community may yet salvage the country by working together.
The
major powers should now set animosity aside and working toward compromise while
Ukrainians should abandon political infighting and work to a restoration of law
and order as quickly as possible.
After
all, an independent, unified and stable Ukraine best serves the interests of
all, including China.
