A War With Many Faces

Reidar Kaarboe
Hva Mener Partiene

In this opinion piece, we will take a look at the roles of the four actors: the US, the coup regime, Russia, and Europe. — The war in Ukraine is not the result of one man's madness, but of a deliberate process in which Ukraine was sacrificed on the altar of hegemony. Already in 1993, the US strategy was clear, and NATO began its "courtship" of Ukraine, with Western support.

The United States: Mainly Responsible for Creating the Conditions for War | The United States, through NATO, has pursued an expansionist policy that deliberately ignores the principle of the "indivisibility of security" (that the security of one state should not come at the expense of another).

It was a matter of course for the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis to demand that the Soviet Union turn its back; it would be crossing a red line, posing an existential threat to the United States, and there would be war. The United States gained support in Europe. But when the Russians used the same words about NATO's expansion eastward, they were met with the statement that "Ukraine has the right to decide who it wants to be allied with".

By pushing military infrastructure right up to Russia's borders and ignoring diplomatic warnings for 30 years, Ukraine was turned into an existential battlefield. This was not a coincidence but a calculated strategy to weaken Russia. Manipulating Russia into war was the means.

The 2014 Ukrainian Regime: Failed Its Own Population | Ukraine was transformed from a bridge between East and West into a stronghold for Western expansion. This was made possible by a corrupt local government, chosen by the US, that prioritized its own wallets and Western favor over national survival.

Ukraine’s political leadership, following the 2014 Maidan uprising, has acted as a proxy for Western interests. By allowing extreme corruption and allowing the country to be ruled by oligarchs and Western advisors, Ukraine was left vulnerable. The regime chose confrontation over neutrality and allowed the country’s resources to be put up for sale to global financial players like BlackRock, while the population was sent to the trenches.

Russia: Unlawful Use of Force, with Extenuating Circumstances | Russia violated international law by attacking, but it was a response to an “impossible situation” that must be considered extenuating. Russia was backed into a corner, with diplomacy blocked by the West (cf. the failure of the Minsk agreements). Although Russia’s security needs were legitimate, the military solution is a violation of international norms that has led to enormous suffering.

Europe: self-harm and neglect of diplomatic responsibility | European leaders have become increasingly dependent on the United States and have lost the ability to govern independently. This has escalated the conflict to a level that threatens the continent’s existence. By uncritically following the US line, Europe has cut off its own energy supplies in favor of more expensive imports from the United States, effectively de-industrializing itself. European countries have participated in a race to deliver increasingly heavy weapons and open up the use of long-range weapons deep into Russian territory.

The way forward:

Striking inequalities | The West's reactions to Russia and Israel are characterized by diametrically opposed attitudes.

Russia vs. Israel

A boycott and sanctions have been imposed against Russia, and direct measures such as the annexation of ships in international waters have been taken. All diplomacy has ceased, all doors seem closed. Russia receives no official support for its war in Ukraine.

No boycott or sanctions have been imposed against Israel, no direct measures have been taken to prevent supplies or trade, and Western countries emphasize the importance of diplomatic contact. Israel is in part openly supported in its war in Gaza, especially by the United States.

Russia vs. United States

In addition, when we compare Russia's war in Ukraine and the United States' war in Iraq in 2003, we also see striking differences. Russia's war against Ukraine was an illegal, aggressive, provoked full-scale war, while the United States' war against Iraq was an illegal, aggressive, unprovoked full-scale war.

Both wars have caused massive damage to the attacked countries and around a million deaths. While the US received support from Western countries, Russia has seen its counterpart receive massive financial, military, and intelligence support. Russia is threatened with demands for compensation for the reconstruction of Ukraine, while no one has demanded that the US replace or rebuild anything in Iraq.

The differential treatment from Western countries does not withstand open debate or ethical assessment, but is covered up by propaganda and uniform moralism. Lack of realism contributes to preventing permanent peace both in Ukraine and in Gaza.

Invest in peace?

The West has shown great willingness to invest in war. The EU decided to invest 800 billion Euros over 5 years, raised as loans in the countries, for both military armament and support for Ukraine under the mantra: "Russia must not win this war, because then they will continue to take all of Europe". At the same time, the EU sees this as a "boost" that will reverse the ongoing industrial decline and as a "fantastic opportunity".

No money is spent on peace. But it is peace that we need. Not war. We need peace ministers, diplomacy, cross-border contact, mutual understanding, and honest, open debate. Peace is possible, but we must want it.

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