War in Ukraine drags on

According to an agency report carried out in this newspaper on Saturday the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution that demands Russia leave Ukraine. As many as 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution. While seven countries including the like of Russia, North Korea, Belarus, etc. voted against the resolution.

Quite interestingly Bangladesh is among the 32 countries which abstained seemingly taking a neutral position. We understand the realpolitik compulsions that make countries take stands in international forums. However, Bangladesh has time and again said that in principle it is against unwarranted aggression and bullying by big and powerful countries.

On the contrary, Bangladesh has always stood for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of fellow nation-states.

Looking at the principles of interstate conduct, the facts on the ground affirm that Russia had invaded a sovereign country. Such aggression could not be condoned as this was a violation of international law.

It never should be a question of which side Bangladesh should support. Bangladesh has good bilateral ties with both the US and Russia. What should matter is whether Bangladesh is upholding the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. In the age of unilateralism and doctrines of pre-emptive strikes, Bangladesh must take a position based on the abiding principles of interstate conduct.

As is well known the war in Ukraine has entered is second year. Many at the onset of the war were quick to predict a quick Russian victory. That however has not been the case.

The Ukrainians, aided by moral and material support from all over the world, have put up a very strong resistance much to the dismay of the Russian leaders. Yet it should be remembered that Russia is the country with the highest number of nuclear warheads in the world. And as history shows, desperation drives countries to adopt desperate measures, especially with a hardliner at the helm of affairs in the invading country.

We firmly believe that war cannot be a solution to any crisis. There simply can be no justification for invading a sovereign republic. Leaders across the globe have condemned the action.

We accept that Russia may have had genuine grievances. However, putting Russian boots on foreign soil to bully a vastly weaker nation was hardly a prudent move. We believe that Russian concerns could have been addressed on discussion tables. If bilateral discussions did not yield results by any chance, Russia could have approached the United Nations. There was little that could be termed as provocation from Ukraine's side. Russia should realise and accept that the USSR is history and its former components are free to chart their destinies.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in devastating consequences for the global economy. The fallout from Russia’s attack has resulted in immeasurable economic and social disruption, not only throughout Europe but across the world. Vital grain exports from Ukraine to Middle Eastern and African countries faced a Black Sea naval blockade. Fragile, post-Covid global supply chains were further damaged, fuelling a cost of living crisis. Europe’s over-dependence on Russian gas and oil was painfully exposed. Bangladesh's economy has also faced negative fallouts.

This global crisis can be solved only through cooperation. However, what is most tragic about the situation in Ukraine is that it was much easier to prevent than the Covid-19 pandemic. Hostilities must end promptly and a ceasefire needs to take effect. We urge Russia to recall all its troops. The West has to support de-escalation efforts.