This is a dangerous moment for freedom-loving people around the globe. By launching his brutal assault on the people of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also committed an assault on the principles that uphold global peace and territorial integrity. The people of Ukraine are resilient, however. They’ve been an independent democracy for decades and their bravery is inspiring the world.
Putin planned this attack for a long time. He methodically moved more than 150,000 troops and massive quantities of military equipment to Ukraine’s border. He rejected every good-faith effort to engage in diplomacy to address his fabricated concerns and to avoid needless conflict and human suffering. In utter disregard for sovereignty and international law, he proceeded to invade, leading to the displacement of over three million humans, inflicting enormous loss of civilian life, and systematically destroying what hardworking Ukrainians have laboured to achieve.
Putin’s goal of dividing the world has failed. In the face of one of the most significant challenges to security and international laws and norms since World War II, the global community has united to condemn Russia’s invasion and hold it accountable, support Ukraine, and develop a broad and comprehensive response.
Cambodia joined the US, the 27 member states of the EU, and many others in the region and beyond in defence of the UN Charter and the rules-based international order and co-sponsored the UN resolution condemning Russian aggression and demanding an end to its unprovoked war against Ukraine. Similar action took place at the UN Human Rights Council, where members, including ASEAN nations, agreed to establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate Russia’s violations of human rights in Ukraine.
Putin has failed to undermine our shared belief in the fundamental right of sovereign nations to choose their destiny and their partners and allies. He will fail to erase the proud nation of Ukraine.
In response to this unprovoked invasion, the US, the UK, the EU, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and others representing more than half of the global economy imposed unprecedented international sanctions that inflict significant costs on Putin, on Russia’s industry, and financial system which are enabling this war.
The next few days, weeks, and months will be incredibly difficult for the people of Ukraine. When the history of this era is written, it will show that Putin’s choice to launch an unprovoked, unjust, and premeditated attack on Ukraine left Russia exponentially weaker, both economically and strategically. The Russian people deserve better from their government than the immense cost to their future that this invasion has precipitated.
Liberty, democracy, and human dignity are forces far more powerful than fear and oppression. In the contest between democracy and autocracy, between sovereignty and subjugation, Freedom will prevail.
W. Patrick Murphy is US ambassador to Cambodia. Carmen Moreno is EU ambassador to Cambodia.
The opinions expressed are solely their own.
