REGINALD DUMAS

Pt II

ARTICLE 2 of the UN Charter calls on member states to 'settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.' They are also enjoined to 'refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the (UN).'

In Article 24, states 'confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility, the…council acts on their behalf.' Russia is not only a founder of the UN, it is one of the five permanent members of the council - one of the quintet of 'leaders' (if one may venture to call them that) - supposed to show us lesser peoples the way of international co-operation and dialogue. Yet now, when its perceived national interests are concerned, Russia has torn to bits the very international principles it has been mandated to uphold and practise.

Its brutal attack on Ukraine has widely and rightly been condemned. Sanctions of various kinds have been imposed. So far, none of this has stopped Vladimir Putin's determination to punish Ukraine for what he is convinced is its undermining of Russia and, perhaps equally important, of his

amour propre. If nothing has come of the talks held by the two sides, it's because of his insistence that Ukraine accepts his 'demands' wholesale. Give-and-take be damned.

What are some of the likely effects of Putin's venture? Sanctions are already biting, and the Russian economy is being adversely affected. So are other economies. The situation will get worse. Further, even if Russia comes to control all of Ukraine and instal a puppet government (which few will recognise), it will face a sullen, disaffected population (some jubilating Russophones excepted), which will significantly resort to non-co-operation and insurgency, with active western assistance.

Far from cowing most Ukrainians, including the more than two million who have fled as refugees, Putin will have strengthened their nationalism and driven them towards the very West he has been hoping to keep at bay. (Ukraine is now seeking EU membership.)

What about the international community? On March 2 the UN General Assembly voted massively (141 to five) to deplore Russian aggression against Ukraine and demand that Russia 'immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces' from that country. It was a spectacular global rebuff of a UN founder, a 'leader,' for its blatant violation of its UN Charter responsibility. With other Caricom states, TT co-sponsored the resolution. A week earlier, the PM of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, had written Putin urging him to cease his 'special operation,' as Putin calls it.

Lacking military might and international clout, small states like ours must rely on the UN Charter p