"Contra spem spero"

- The injustice also lies in the fact that the Russian ultimatum, issued on December 15, 2021, was not directed at Kyiv, but at Washington and Brussels. The ultimatum was rejected - yet it was Ukraine that was attacked.

- The injustice also lies in the fact that a military coalition to force the aggressor into peace has still not been created.

- The injustice also lies in the fact that Ukraine has always supported the United States, even when it involved the direct participation of Ukrainian servicemen and servicewomen.

• When the United States was shaken by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 - Ukraine stood alongside its partners. That was *not our war*.
• When the U.S. called on Ukraine to join the International Coalition forces in Iraq - Ukraine joined. That was “not our war”.
• When the U.S. formed a coalition against ISIS - Ukraine did not stand aside. That was most certainly “not our war”.

If you reject this approach of partnership and mutual assistance, then let's build the whole logic. 

Is this Ukraine's war? No! We did not start it, and we do not want it with all our hearts.

Is it a war of NATO or the EU? No.

Is this the war of the United States? No.

Moreover, it is not a war of Australia or Japan, Canada or South Korea...

But there is one thing.

“History has repeatedly shown: when powerful nations avoid playing their rightful part in the collective resistance against an aggressor and are willing to accept disgrace - from allies, from partners, from those who wish to see them weak, from enemies, and from the relatives and friends of tens of thousands who gave their lives not only for their homeland but also for the safety of people in Europe, for the preservation of international norms and rules, and for the restoration of peace - then they will end up with both disgrace and war.”

And then there will be no one willing to join you, even in a just cause.

Therefore, we still sincerely hope for the right development of events and joint actions to repel the Russian, Iranian, and North Korean aggressors!

Source

About the author. Valeriy Chaly, Ukrainian diplomat, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States.

The editors do not always share the views expressed by the blog authors.