Biden opposes ‘Nato-isation’ of Ukraine in major blow to Zelensky & Kyiv faces damaging blackouts as Russian strikes continue
Jun 5, 2024
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Former Tank Commander, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, discusses Biden's stance on Ukraine's defense, use of combat robots, and the electricity crisis. They explore lessons from D-Day, Russia's war aims, and the importance of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.
Russia aims to erase Ukrainian identity by stripping language, culture, and history under occupation.
Time spent under occupation increases Russian efforts to hinder Ukraine's reintegration tasks.
Ukraine requires substantial support for reintegration, infrastructure rebuilding, and national healing post-war.
Deep dives
Efforts in Russification in Occupied Ukraine
Russia's occupation playbook aims to eradicate Ukrainian identity by forcibly stripping language, culture, and history. Efforts include replacing Ukrainian road signs with Russian, arbitrary detentions of pro-Ukrainian individuals, and threats of deportation for displaying pro-Ukrainian sentiment. The project is intended to complicate Ukraine's reintegration efforts and establish Russian dominance.
Implications of Prolonged Occupation
The longer Russia occupies Ukraine, the more effective its efforts become, hindering Ukraine's reintegration tasks. By coercing Ukrainian residents into obtaining Russian passports, Russia aims to complicate bureaucratic processes and prevent seamless reintegration. Successes in erasing Ukrainian identity under occupation can amplify exponentially with time.
Impact on Reintegration Post-Conflict
Post-conflict, substantial support is needed for Ukraine's reintegration, reconstruction, and national healing. Rebuilding critical infrastructure, addressing deep-seated trauma from living under occupation, and fostering national healing are crucial considerations for Ukraine's successful post-war transition. These aspects demand serious discussions and proactive planning.
Challenges in Ukraine's Energy Crisis
Ukraine faces its worst electricity crisis since the war's inception, with Russian attacks crippling power generation facilities. The destruction and scarcity of critical infrastructure compounded by the West's assistance are creating long-term energy security concerns. Urgent attention to power infrastructure reconstruction is vital to prevent worsening crises.
Family D-Day Story and National Healing
Reflecting on a personal anecdote tied to WWII, highlighting a family member's wartime experience amid the significance of the 80th D-Day anniversary. Emphasizing the necessity of national healing for war-torn nations like Ukraine post-conflict, the long road to reconstruction, reintegration, and reconstitution involves profound considerations and challenges.
Ukraine's Future Transition Post-War
Looking ahead, Ukraine's transition post-war involves multifaceted tasks like infrastructure rebuilding, people reintegration, and national healing. Addressing the complex aftermath of prolonged occupation demands careful planning and continuous support to ensure successful reconstruction and healing processes for a post-conflict Ukraine.
Today, we bring you the latest news from across Ukraine, we discuss lessons for the West from Ukraine and D-Day, and we ask what the treatment of the occupied territories tells us about Russia's war aims in Ukraine.
Contributors:
David Knowles (Head of Audio Development). @djknowles22 on X.
Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Contributor and former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.
Karolina Hird (Russia Team Deputy Lead and Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War). @KarolinaAHird on X.
