Global democracies desperately need strong leadership to counter the menaces of Vladimir Putin. There are many good reasons for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers of defense and global affairs to step up and do just that now.
On June 14, the world will be paying close attention to the NATO summit. There, the most powerful military alliance and world leaders will discuss how they will deal with the escalating turmoil Putin is creating worldwide.
With support from friends and allies, Canada must once again highlight Putin’s relentless war on a European state. Add to that his support for dictators around the globe, the assassination of foreign nationals, cyberattacks disrupting vital services, political interference, and a steady flow of lies and propaganda to foment mistrust of democratic institutions.
These acts are carried out to support his stated world-view that “liberalism is dead” or that democratic processes like elections are a “trick”.
Canada is not immune from his aggression. During the recent Arctic Council ministerial meeting, his officials were amused when confronted with questions about an illegal military base there. Their response was that Russia was in the Arctic to maintain peace in the region, adding that “everyone knows that the Arctic is ours”.
Canadians have a lot to lose. Bold countermeasures are needed now.
The most effective strategy would be to bring Ukraine into NATO. Ukraine has been asking for membership in NATO since its independence in 1991.
Doubters, such as US President George Bush Sr., chided Ukraine for wanting to leave “Mother Russia”. Canada was the first democratic country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. It has continued as a steadfast friend with developmental and military assistance.
NATO has been most forthcoming to Ukraine with words and promises, but not with membership.
In 2008 it promised to help Ukraine meet required standards with its Membership Action Plan. It did not happen, and President Putin pursued his plan to control Ukraine and through it Europe and the world’s other democracies.
Perhaps more than anything, Putin fears that Ukraine in NATO will upset this plan. It is, therefore, vital for Canada to speak-up now for Ukraine’s membership, convince others to do likewise, and in so doing halt Russia.
In addition to NATO membership, Canada needs to speak up for:
• Ukraine to be assured the Membership Action Plan;
• Military support assistance to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend its borders;
• Continued OSCE monitoring of Putin’s war in Ukraine that Russia wants to discontinue to avoid criticism;
• Strong advocates — the United States, Great Britain, the “Letter of the 13” countries– already supporting Ukraine’s membership and temper the reluctance of Germany and France; and
• The revocation of the Minsk agreements—led by Germany and France to deal with Russia’s war— and replacement with more appropriate ones, which will include the United States and led by a neutral entity like Canada.
Getting Ukraine into NATO is the best way to deal with Russia. It will send a strong message to President Putin, ensure the world’s superpowers stay on high alert against Russia’s recklessness, and strengthen the position of members that have an existential understanding of the complexity of its threat.
Positive results of Canada’s interventions at the NATO Summit can be carried to the G7 to deal with Russia’s remorseless expansionism by expanding the sanctions including:
• The removal of Russia from SWIFT;
• Freezing assets in the West of entities—family members too—listed in the sanctions; and
• Imposing tariffs on energy flowing through Nord Stream 2 pipeline to pay for the destruction of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Canada’s call to such action is timely and much needed to push back Putin who is increasingly desperate to keep Ukraine under Russia’s control. He is using NATO’s resolve to measure how much further he can go in his global maraudings, including in the Arctic. There are no advantages to not having Ukraine at the NATO table.
Oksana Bashuk Hepburn is co-founder of Ukraine in NATO, a former government of Canada executive, and president of a consulting firm working in Ukraine. David Kilgour was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work opposing organ pillaging from political prisoners in China.
