Unless swift efforts are made to de-escalate tensions, the crisis in Ukraine has the potential to escalate into a disastrous conflict that will consume Europe. Early Thursday, Russia initiated invasion of its western neighbor – a move that the US and its European allies have been predicting for weeks.
The backdrop of hostilities is long, as the specters of the Cold War are rekindled in a new conflict pitting the West against Russia. In summary, Russia—along with Moscow and Kiev, both former constituents of the Soviet Union—was dissatisfied with the escalation of Western attempts at Ukraine. warning He said attempts to include Ukraine in NATO would have consequences.
But the Ukrainian government and its Western supporters have promised to further their relations. The closest trigger for hostilities has been Russia’s intervention on behalf of pro-Moscow separatist elements in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, which Vladimir Putin claims has been subjected to “genocide by the Kiev regime”.
Regarding Pakistan’s position in this conflict, Imran Khan is the first world leader. meet Putin after the invasion. While the timing of the prime minister’s visit to Russia was unfortunate, the prime minister took the opportunity to voice his concern over the situation. It is clear that Pakistan must maintain its neutrality. The invasion and any subsequent military showdown between the West and Russia will likely rekindle the bloc politics of the Cold War, and Pakistan needs to play its cards right and avoid taking partisan positions.
To read: Echoes of the Cold War
Meanwhile, the rhetoric of war is menacing. Putin warned that attempts to take over Russia would be met with an “instant” response, while US President Joe Biden threatened to “hold Russia accountable”. World War II, when the Russian people suffered a lot. Comparisons are also made with World War II. Therefore, the prospects are grim and the chances of a larger conflict are strong.
It is true that neither side is innocent here. Russia should not have launched the offensive against a sovereign country, and the Western side was also immature and engaged in swinging the sword where diplomatic foresight was required. Russia must accept that the USSR is history and that its former constituents are free to determine their own destiny without permission from Moscow.
NATO also needs to get rid of the Cold War mentality and remove the impression that it is trying to surround Russia from all sides. While a truce must come into effect, hostilities must be ended immediately. Russia should recall its troops, while the West should support de-escalation efforts. Unless a wiser course is pursued, a global conflict cannot be ruled out as nuclear-armed adversaries publicly try to flex their muscles. The UN and non-aligned states must act quickly to prevent a dangerous fire.