Russia And A Rush Of Rashes

You can never be sure with Vladimir Putin. But, as each day passes, with Russia remaining in Ukraine inexplicably, and the world responding with an unprecedented cyclone of condemnation and sanctions, it appears that the Kremlin has not considered the global response to its invasion of its smaller Eastern European neighbor.

Read Also:  Ukraine: United States, NATO Must Be Held Accountable

Hundreds of civilians, including children, have been killed, and many more have been critically injured, according to the images. The Russians have shelled a number of Ukrainian public and residential buildings. The cost to the Ukrainian military has been similar, despite the country riding a wave of international support to resurrect a spirit of defiance long thought lost on ancient battlefields.

The toll is rising, and there is every reason to believe that by the end of the day, it will be enormous. However, one suspects that at the end of the day, a powerful message would have been sent, leaving war mongers like Vladimir Putin in no doubt that when war becomes so open, so destructive, the response will be bitter and biting.

Apart from the international outpouring of support and solidarity for Ukraine, countries, institutions, and individuals have taken actions that have grave ramifications in Russia. Many believe that, despite keeping a straight face, Russia is secretly counting the cost of its invasion of its neighbor, which will be compounded by the impending sanctions.

Read Also:  Gov. Ortom applauds Buhari for appointing Benue son, Echono as TETFund boss

FIFA and UEFA have suspended the Russian national team and Russian clubs from competing in all FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. Some sporting organizations have scrambled to distance themselves from Moscow, while some individual athletes have spoken out against Vladimir Putin and his horde of Russian assailants in some of the harshest terms possible. Russia, long suspected of being the last vestige of the Soviet Union, is rapidly becoming a pariah state in front of their eyes.

Economic sanctions have been equally severe. Russia’s Central Bank has been cut off from dollar transactions by the US. The value of Russia’s currency, the ruble, has dropped to historic lows. With a slew of countries preparing to ratchet up the sanctions, Russia will undoubtedly find itself surrounded by alligators in no time. That is what it should be, save for a smidgeon of sympathy for Russians who oppose the war.

As the global order strives to ensure peace and prosperity for all citizens of the world, from Burundi to Burma, all those who sow discord and conflict must face the most severe penalties possible. They and others of their ilk must be treated as lepers as a deterrent. There can be no middle ground here.

The most vulnerable populations are subjected to unspeakable horrors as a result of war. While the invasion of Ukraine has sparked worldwide outrage, the response to similar situations must be universal and widespread. There can be no room for compromise.

For the world to return to a state of relative safety, all those who fan the flames of war around the world must be held accountable for their astounding stupidity. They must be forced to account for their actions, or at the very least live in the knowledge that anything they do that causes harm to innocent people anywhere in the world will be met with the harshest punishments possible.

Read Also:  Viral voice notes revealed missing BRT passenger struggle with her abductors –Brother

This is, admittedly, a tall order for an international order that continues to oscillate between hot and cold at will. However, despite its vast energy riches and nuclear weapons, Russia has faced a wave of sanctions since its leaders’ monumental folly in sending the first armoured tank across its border with Ukraine.

Perhaps a rash of rashes will dissuade dictators who hide behind ostensibly democratic facades to treat other sovereign countries like scorpions.