- Joined
- Oct 3, 2016
- Messages
- 35,356
- Points
- 113
I have written a new oped on Ukraine in today’s issue of the Straits Times. I am concerned that so many Singaporeans have accepted the Russian-Chinese narrative on the war. They blame NATO for the war. This narrative is without merit. The truth is that Ukraine has been an independent country since 1991. Russia recognised Ukraine’s independence and supported it’s application to join the UN. In 1994, Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum as one of three guarantors of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The crux of the problem is that Russia has not come to terms with the loss of its empire. Russia wants its neighbours to join its club and not those of the West. If they do not abide by Russia’s admonition, Putin is prepared to use force to impose his will. The truth is that Russia’s neighbours are sovereign and independent countries and they have the right to determine their own destinies. The fact that they were once ruled by Russia does not mean that they will have to live forever under the domination of Russia. Some Singaporeans feel that as a small country we should be neutral and not have taken such a strong stand on Ukraine. I have also responded to this argument in my oped.

