Judith Slater | United in condemnation of Russia’s “war of choice” in Ukraine

The shocking events in Ukraine have been a wake-up call to the world. Both the United Kingdom and Jamaica were quick to respond, and there was no equivocation in either the words of my Prime Minister Boris Johnson or Jamaican PM Andrew Holness’s statement of February 25, condemning what he rightly termed the “invasion” of Ukraine.

These events have already had a terrible human cost. Putin has fired rockets at blocks of flats and bombarded civilian targets. The number of refugees leaving Ukraine is now over a million, and UN agencies predict that up to five million could leave. Families are being torn apart, communities and livelihoods needlessly destroyed. Civilians, including children, are dying, alongside many Ukrainian and Russian soldiers.

But some here in Jamaica might yet ask, Why should all this be a concern of ours? Jamaica is thousands of miles away and without direct interests, would it not be better to keep our heads down?

ON TENTERHOOKS

Absolutely not! First, because in 2022, the world is now smaller, more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. The pandemic demonstrated that, and so has this unprovoked conflict. Like everyone in Jamaica, I was on tenterhooks as we followed the progress of the Jamaican students trying to leave Ukraine and shared your relief as the evacuation operation came to a successful conclusion. We have similarly urged our own nationals to leave Ukraine and assisted their return home.

Second, this invasion could set an appalling precedent. Prime Minister Holness was right to stress Jamaica’s “support for the universal respect and adherence to the principles of international law and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations”. For without these principles, what is stopping other states from being swallowed up by a belligerent, larger neighbour? And where would accepting such behaviour leave the long-term security of any UN member state, large or small?

Third, this invasion of a free, sovereign country is not only a tragedy, but a colossal mistake from which we can all learn. Putin told his people and his troops that they would be cheered in the streets and garlanded with flowers. That lie is crumbling in the face of extraordinary, courageous Ukrainian resistance, delaying the entire invasion plan. The open, democratic systems and free speech we enjoy in both Britain and Jamaica enable us to work together to ensure that we listen to a range of views and adjust our policies accordingly, whether that be in the fields of violence prevention, pandemic recovery, or in building a resilient economy. As part of a global network of liberty, the UK and Jamaica must cherish, value, and sustain our democratic traditions and systems.

CALLING OUT MISINFORMATION

Fourth, we have a shared interest in calling out misinformation. While convoys of tanks and armoured vehicles bear down on Kyiv, the Kremlin-controlled Russian media refuses to tell the Russian people that their soldiers are being ordered to attack their Slavic brothers and sisters in this ancient capital. Instead, they concoct a tissue of lies and claim that Russia is merely conducting a “special operation in the Donbas” to protect their own citizens. This shows the importance of a free and open media environment. Jamaica currently ranks 7 (out of 180) globally for media freedom – something of which this country is rightly proud. Were the Russian media able to “speak truth to power” as the Jamaican media does, there would surely be much higher levels of popular dissent about the war Putin is unjustly waging on Ukraine, and his position would look different.

Finally, the UK and Jamaica, as democratic countries, must accept that this crisis will impose costs on us and our electorates; that the unprecedented level of sanctions imposed on Russia will have consequences for us, as well as for Russia; and that no step we take is free of risk. But if the current nightmare is to end, then Putin must be made to understand that his savagery will be met with unending economic pressure and that the world will stay united in its support of Ukraine. We must be ready for a prolonged crisis.

The international community must maintain the extraordinary unity shown so far and press ahead with a strategy of economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine, along with defensive weapons. This, together with the extraordinary courage and patriotism of President Zelenskyy and his countrymen, will mean Putin’s adventurism ultimately fails.

Jamaica’s voice is a strong and influential one and has already added weight to the overwhelmingly loud chorus condemning Putin’s actions. Your part in this coalition is vital, and the UK will continue to work with Jamaica to support the government and people of Ukraine in any way that we can.

Judith Slater is the British High Commissioner to Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com