This space is to encourage discussion about the distasteful event which played out on the global stage between Presidents Zelenskky, Trump and Vice President Vance last week at the White House. Obviously a more volatile geopolitical environment will have implications for the tiny Caribbean region. It will be interesting to anticipate the outcome, if any, the proposed meeting between the Trump administration and CARICOM.
Today the EU coalition of the willing signalled support for Ukraine to be partially financed by frozen Russian assets. No surprise the war machinery in Europe is about to be ‘fired up’ to manufacture weapons destined for the Ukraine military.
The blogmaster is ambivalent about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Especially after Russia was booted from the G7 and the isolationist polices of the West that have intensified since. There is the saying home drums beat first therefore Putin – like any leader of a country, including President Trump – will implement policies in the national interest.
The same is true for Ukraine which assumed an independent nation status after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The history of that region is complicated given the shared heritage of the two countries. That said, Ukraine is an independent nation and like Russia, Zelenskky has the same right as Putin to defend his country’s self interest as he see fit.
European countries and NATO have an interest to ensure its national security is not compromised given hegemonist inclinations which history records. At the mention of NATO the involvement of the USA must be considered given the alliance. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Stermer has taken the ‘lead’, presumably with back channel support from the USA to reduce the temperature in the geopolital space.
Barbadians will watch with fingers crossed and hope the conflict does not mushroom. We should do our best to be as self sufficient as we is possible and maximise scarce resources.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.