Many have been speculating about what steps Russia and Ukraine must make to achieve a stable peace, but in nearly every case, they ignore the fundamental reality that Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression and Moscow can’t be counted on to refrain from further aggression unless Putin is convicted of war crimes, says analyst Yuriy Shulipa.
The director of Kyiv’s Institute of National Policy says that one must begin any assessment of Russian-Ukrainian relations with that fact and also that what is taking place now is “a continuation of the existential struggle between Kyivan Rus’ and the Golden Horde,” between a country looking toward Europe and one part of Asia (vestnikcivitas.ru/pbls/4228).
It is deceptive and wrong, Mr. Shulipa argues, to describe the current situation as “a conflict” between the two countries. “Legally and factually, Ukraine is a victim of Russian military, political and other aggression, and Russia is an aggressor country.”