The persistent tragedy: Ukraine's struggle for self-determination against the 'imperial chessboard' of Europe

“ To understand the permanent use of diplomacy and the necessity for continual negotiations, we must think of the states of which Europe is composed as being joined together by all kinds of necessary commerce, in such a way that they may be regarded as members of one Republic and that no considerable change can take place in any one of them without affecting the condition, or disturbing the peace, of all the others. ”

“ Much has been said respecting the laws of nations; but they are now nowhere to be found, but in those books that treat on that subject; they were formed by the nations of the civilized world, and evidenced by the treaties, compacts, and agreements, entered into by them; but the Governments of Europe, in their struggle for power and dominion, seem to have disregarded or broken them down; and they being the majority in number, and superior in strength, it is not at present in our power to build up and enforce them. ”

“ The principle of self-determination pre-supposes not only the freedom, but also the union of peoples. Here the instructions are opposed to the interests of a whole number of peoples; the Poles, the Czechoslovaks the Roumanians, the Jugoslavs, the Italians. Thus the instructions recognize in words the principle of self-determination of peoples, but in reality only propose its realization through existing States. ”

“ To-day all European nations struggle for liberation and political unity, for the political organisation of Europe on the basis of nationality. The intrinsic historical connection of democracy with nationality explains why the democratic states, France, England, Italy, &c., and now revolutionary Russia, declare solemnly in favour of the right of all nations to self-determination. ”

“ The development of nationalism and Europeanism is still incomplete, but the drive in that direction has thus far survived the fragmenting forces of self-determination and political independence which have played so vital a role in human society since the beginning of the present century. Europeanization is still a dream rather than a reality. ”

“ A man is an individual, not a mere unit in a mass; a personality, not a mere member of a body politic. Did you ever think what a fearful lack of that which is noble in humanity is contained in the world? It ignores that which is highest and best in human nature—man's freedom and power of self-organization and self-determining influence in the masses of men. We are too apt to fall in the same line or take on the same personalities of those around us for the emancipation from bondage of social errors, evils, spiritual freedom and individual aims. ”

“ The colonists were struggling not only against the armies of a great nation, but against the settled opinions of mankind; for the world did not then believe that the supreme authority of government could be safely intrusted to the guardianship of the people themselves.
We can not overestimate the fervent love of liberty, the intelligent courage, and the sum of common sense with which our fathers made the great experiment of self-government. ”

“ When there is nothing more to be had, Germany would perforce rest content. The possession of Russia only whetted her appetite for France and Belgium and the life of England. Moreover, the Allies, having now learned Germany, and having acquired a sense of their own safety and of the future peace of the world, had no thought of permitting Germany to remain in possession of western Russia, of Serbia, and of Rumania, and thereby not only perpetuating but actually aggravating the condition out of which grew the present war. ”

“ It is the Führer’s will that, in 100 years’ time, 250 million German-speaking people should live in Europe.
“4. . . . to consider these women workers from the Ukraine as workers from the East, and to put the sign ‘Ost’ “—East—” on them.
“5. Gauleiter Sauckel added that apart from the introduction of women workers for domestic labor it was intended to utilize an additional million workers from the East. ”

“ The annexation of Western Russian Governments, the juggling with the Baltic Provinces, with Poland and the Ukraine, all that is the result of aiming at the organisation of a German Central Europe and domination in Asia and Africa. Berlin-Bagdad was broadened to Berlin-Warsaw-Kiev-Odessa. The East, Russia, and the zone of small nations, would mean far more to Germany than parts of the West (Belgium, Alsace-Lorraine, or parts of France) . Controlling the East, Germany would be enabled to conquer the West. Europe and humanity need an independent and strong Russia. ”

“ It is difficult to imagine how the Russian empire as it now is, from Poland to eastern-most Siberia, could be kept together and governed by anything else than an autocratic centralization of power, a constantly self-asserting and directing central authority with a tremendous organization of force behind it. ”

“ He said, "We are willing to leave Northern France, but there must be a rectification of the frontier." I said, "How about the Eastern frontier?" He said, "We must have a very substantial rectification of our frontier." I said, "How about Roumania?" He said, "We shall leave Bulgaria to deal with Roumania." I said, "How about Serbia?" He said, "A very small Serbia may be allowed to exist, but that is a question for Austria. Austria must be left to do what she wishes to Italy, and we must have indemnities from all countries and all our ships and colonies back." ”

“ The region of the Ukraine, in Southern Russia, is supposed to be clamouring for freedom and independent [334] existence. Long before the Russian revolution, I and all the diplomats of Germany were flooded with newspapers, pamphlets and literature about the longing of the Ukraine—all as plainly issued by the Germans as if they had been stamped with the Royal arms of Prussia and the seal of the General Staff.
The Lithuanians, too, stir uneasily. There is, perhaps, more in their claim; they request the world not to confuse them with the Poles and they protest against incorporation with Poland. ”

“ Respect for treaties is the basis of the moral and juridical relations of States and the condition of an honest and regular international order. Carried into the war by a will to compel respect for a treaty which Russia had guaranteed, Belgium is pursuing the struggle without wavering, and at the price of the most cruel sacrifices. She considers that the promise of Russia, in which she trusted, is still binding. She refuses to believe that the Russian people, master of its destinies, will irrevocably abandon the promises made in its name. ”

“ Of course, the bourgeois governments demand the recognition of the ‘elementary principles, upon which the intercourse between civilised nations must be based.’ But these principles have nothing in common with the questions of democracy and national self-determination. We are drily asked to recognize debts contracted by Tsarism for the purpose of crushing this very Georgia, Finland, Poland, all the border provinces, and the toiling masses of Great Russia herself.
And we are also called upon to pay compensation to the private capitalists who have suffered loss as a result of the revolution. ”

“ After the world cataclysm which is destroying he political foundations of old Europe, the Powers composing the Entente are undertaking the heavy responsibility of introducing a new order of things based on right, justice, and the principle of self-determination.
The first page of the Memorandum
In the new extinct Empire of the Tsars - without mentioning the case of Poland - every province is reclaiming its freedom and independence. In Austria-Hungary new states have sprung up and have been recognized. ”

“ Every step of the German fascist army and its allies in the invaded Soviet territories of the Ukraine and Moldavia, of Bielorussia and Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, in the Karelian-Finnish lands, in the Russian zones and regions, led to annihilation and to the destruction of priceless material and cultural treasures—the property of the nation; for the civilian population it led to the loss of hard-won property, slave labor, famine, and bloody massacre before whose horror the most savage crimes in history have paled. ”

“ Ever since 1863, at least, it has been a favorite thesis of Polish democrats and even Socialists that the only way to effect a solution of the problem of the debatable eastern territories, in accordance both with outraged legality and with the principle of national self-determination, is to force Russia to renounce what she usurped at the time of the Partitions, and then to leave the liberated populations free either to renew their historic federal union with Poland or to make any other political arrangements that they choose. ”

“ Addressing the legitimate concerns of all parties — and balancing their interests — would be critical, he stressed, underlining the long and complex history of the conflict. All parties should implement resolution 2202 (2015) , cease hostilities, remain committed to seeking a lasting, balanced resolution, promote harmony among all ethnic groups in Ukraine and pursue Ukraine’s peaceful coexistence with its regional neighbours. For its part, the Council should support negotiations that were conducive to a lasting peace. ”

“ FRANCISCO TENYA (Peru) reiterating his country’s commitment to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in line with the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, expressed concern over the continued fighting and deplored its effects on civilians. Condemning in particular the use of anti‐personnel mines — which ran contrary to the Ottawa Convention — as well as the downing of flight MH17, he said the Minsk agreements remained the core of any future political resolution to the conflict. ”

“ Ukraine and its people had responded to brute force and direct aggression from their neighbour with a tremendous effort to reshape and modernize their country. Nevertheless, the conflict lingered on, and the world must not forget it. Emphasizing that Ukraine must be present on the United Nations agenda — and that of the Council in particular — he said the highest price paid by that threat to international peace and security was paid by civilians. ”

“ Political sovereignty is but a mockery without the means of meeting poverty and illiteracy and disease. Self-determination is but a slogan if the future holds no hope. ”

“ Above and beyond the security assistance itself, public support from the United States demonstrates to Russia that "we are Ukraine's reliable strategic partner." [221] In withholding not only assistance, but also a White House meeting, the President denied Ukraine a show of strength that could deter further Russian aggression and help Ukraine negotiate an end to its five-year war with Russia (a war that has already killed over 13,000 Ukrainians) . ”

“ Self-determination implies the right to independence of peoples in colonies and territories in accordance with Article 73 of the UN Charter. (Ibid.) Here two important aspects should be clearly understood. First, self-determination is a dynamic and continuous process. People exercise self-determination when they determine their future in the long run. Therefore, the achievement of self-determination is a step forward on the path to ultimate independence. Second, self-determination has both internal and external dimensions. ”

“ Peace Treaties have been signed, but slaughter and terrorism continue. In Central Europe, great rivers, which are serene and splendid highways, are still defiled with human blood, still serve as barriers and are charged with sighs. The old discredited methods of “Secret Diplomacy” are being followed and the destinies of peoples are still at the mercy of officials who deal in bargains and transactions. In Great Britain and France, both in the Press and Parliament, reactionary forces have got the upper hand. As a consequence, trade is paralysed, and human misery exists on an unprecedented scale. ”