FiveMythsaboutUkraine

1. The Crimea Referendum was Illegal

On Sunday 16th March 2014, some 97% of voters in Crimea supported the joining of Crimea to the Russian Federation in a

referendum which the international community claims violates international law. Obama told Russian President Vladimir

Putin that Crimea's referendum "would never be recognized." Similarly European leaders fell over themselves to condemn

the referendum.

There is some truth to this claim as Ukraine's constitution in Article 3 states territorial changes can only be approved via a

referendum where by all citizens of Ukraine are allowed to vote. Leaving the legal technicalities aside the hypocritical

position taken by the West is worth some consideration. Modern Ukraine came into being after the collapse of the Soviet

Union in 1991, Ukrainian Independence from the Soviet Union was not obtained through any election or vote, despite this the

West supported Ukraine's independence. The current government in Ukraine, is not only composed of right wing groups, it

was also not elected by the people of Ukraine but received widespread western support. In the last 12 months the US has

supported the overthrow of two democratically elected leaders – Muhammad Morsi in Egypt and Viktor Yanukovych un

Ukraine.

In reality the referendum being illegal is the West stating their position that they do not like the outcome and for thus for this

reason it is illegal.

2. The uprisings in Ukraine are due to a desire for Western Democracy

There is no doubt Victor Yanukovych was an incompetent ruler and and this became more apparent the longer he ruled. This

narrative however does not take into account the role the West played in fermenting unrest. The first protests began in early

December 2013 when the Yanukovych government refused to sign a trade deal with the EU. These protests were restricted

to this policy position by the government. As protests continued the West began to add fuel to the fire. On 14 December US

Senator John McCain visited the Ukrainian capital and met with key government and opposition leaders. US Assistant

Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited Independence Square in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Wednesday 11 December

and met with protestors, this was confirmed by, the US embassy. On the same day Christin Ashton the EU's foreign policy

commissioner met with opposition leaders. The West attempted to use the protests to pressurize President Viktor

Yanukovych and weaken him. The West has links with many Pro-West groups as it has provided financial, organizational

and political support, as well as training for the civil and political leaders. Whilst there is no doubt the people of Ukraine want

WEDNESDAY, 26 MARCH 2014 17:32 KASIM JAVED

change, what they are demanding is an economy not dominated by a few Oligarchs. The Orange revolution in 2005 was

meant to usher in a new era for Ukraine but the pro-West leaders only made matters worse. The arrival of a pro-Russian

autocrat in 2013 – Victor Yanukovych changed little and that's why he was overthrown, again. This myth has become the

moral justification for western interference.

3. The sanctions by the West shows their support for the people of Ukraine?

On the 17th March, the US government announced expanded sanctions against 11 Pro-Russian Ukrainian, Crimean and

Russia officials. Concurrently the European Union also placed sanctions although they differed from the US list. The current

sanctions have little impact on Russia since they are not trade related. Being the world's 8th largest economy, Russia is

inextricably interlinked into the global economy. Any serious sanctions on Russia, would directly affect Europe. The EU is

highly dependent on Russian energy, Germany has large investments in Russia and the UK has seen an inflow of Russian

money into its financial sector. The current sanctions regime is largely symbolic and despite the rhetoric, does not hurt

Russia in any way. If the West really cared for the Ukrainian people it would place an embargo on Russia energy imports!

4. The world is on the verge of World War three

This myth has been perpetuated by the EU and its media, in order to heighten tensions and justify its interference in Ukraine.

2014 being the 100 year anniversary of world war one has added to the euphoria as Eastern Europe was the flash point

where both world wars started. As Russia holds the key cards in this crisis the West has tried to present Russia in an

aggressive light and also justify its interference in Ukraine by perpetuating the possibility of war. Any type of war is not in the

interests of Russia, the US, Britain and every other country in the region. The EU is struggling with a sovereign debt crisis,

and South and East Europe is facing the brunt of this, any war will lead to the complete collapse of these countries. Russia's

economy has been seriously affected by the global financial crisis and its military is currently undergoing huge

modernisation efforts as its still littered with thousands of military platforms from the soviet era that are virtually obsolete. Any

war would also seriously cripple Russia economy. The US is currently reorienting its position in the Middle East and the

subcontinent after a decade of war that has bleed the US dry, the US and its public have no appetite for another war that

could see a protracted struggle.

5. The Tatars?

Until a month ago, most in the West never heard of the Tartar people let alone their history. The Western media swiftly

capitalized on the plight of Tatars and even gave their plight media coverage. The minority Tatars have been living for

centuries under the most callous of regimes in and around Central Asia. One of the most tragic of events in the history of the

last century when thousands of Crimean Tatars were deported from their homeland under Stalin. The reality is that the

Tatars have always been repressed, and the annexation of Crimea will in all likelihood lead to the continuation of this. The

plight of the Tatars has thus been projected to aid European public opinion against Russia and not out of any concern for the

Tartar Muslims.