The Validation of Ukrainian Allegations of Russian Complicity in the Eastern Ukrainian Rebellion

One week ago, I posted that United States intelligence had confirmed Ukrainian government allegations that the Russian Federation was arming pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.  The shootdown of an unarmed Malaysian Airlines civilian passenger jet Thursday in Ukrainian airspace by the Russophile rebels with a Russian-made surface-to-air missile proves Ukrainian and American allegations that not only did Russia supply the separatists with anti-aircraft artillery, as well as the training and personnel necessary to operate the equipment, but other weapons, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, despite the Russian Federation’s denials of complicity in the rebellion in Eastern Ukraine. 

The incident also suggests that much of the rebellion has been fomented by agents and propaganda from the Russian Federation’s authoritarian regime that is led by former Soviet Communist K.G.B. officer Vladimir Putin.  The Russian government later admitted that it had lied when it had denied similar involvement in fomenting the rebellion in Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which Russia subsequently annexed.  Putin has been intent openly on regaining the Soviet Empire, including former Soviet Republics like Ukraine and Georgia, both of which Russia has invaded.

The U.S. and the European Union had expanded sanctions and restrictions to a number of individual Russians and Russian businesses, as well as Eastern Ukrainian Russian separatists.  Significant additional punishments must be imposed if Russia is unwilling to establish a cease-fire in Ukraine, the laying down of arms by the separatists and a dialogue between them and the Ukrainian government.  The Ukrainian government has already promised to guarantee minority rights, including in regard to the Russian language, concern for which was the Russian Federation’s discredited excuse for trying to grab power after the popular rebellion against a corrupt, authoritarian pro-Russian government in Ukraine and its replacement with one that has established trade relations with the European Union and seeks integration into Europe and good relations with the West, without any hostile intent toward Russia.  Meanwhile, the U.S. and E.U. should continue to boost their support of the Ukrainian government.