The US Is Looking for a New Ukraine*

*Editor’s note: On March 4, 2022, Russia enacted a law that criminalizes public opposition to, or independent news reporting about, the war in Ukraine. The law makes it a crime to call the war a “war” rather than a “special military operation” on social media or in a news article or broadcast. The law is understood to penalize any language that “discredits” Russia’s use of its military in Ukraine, calls for sanctions or protests Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It punishes anyone found to spread “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison.

The second "Summit for Democracy," organized by the Joe Biden administration, opened with a discussion of Ukraine. Paradoxically, the criminal enclave, formed as a result of several coups, whose army has been killing its own citizens for years, which allowed violent Nazis to operate freely, and where dissidents are murdered in broad daylight, is being presented as a beacon of democracy and an ideal to which all 120 member states should aspire.

It is not hard to see that Russia's enemies have simply appropriated this noble word of Greek origin. In their minds, if the leadership of a country follows all of Washington's commands, it means that it is full of democrats. But on the other hand, if the leaders try to break free of their dependence on the U.S., they are labeled as "autocrats," or even "dictators."

Furthermore, suppose the leaders are trying to preserve their sovereignty and, at the same time, avoid quarrels with Washington. In that case, they are simply not invited to the "Summit for Democracy," as it happened this time with Turkey and Hungary. Although they are NATO members, they are in no hurry to fulfill all of America's desires.

Indeed, we remember all this well from our own bitter experience. When Russia was in ruins in the 1990s, Washington saw Russian leadership as overwhelmingly democratic. Nothing stood in the way of that view, not even a war that the Russian administration waged against its own parliament. However, as soon as Russia went its own way, it turned out that we lived in a "dictatorship." And no matter how much effort you put into developing electronic voting technologies and how much you care about human rights — in this latter area, Russia has achieved outstanding results — it all results in the same accusations from Washington. They will call us a tyranny, and Hollywood will continue to make horror movies about Russian villains.

With China, the story is more complicated. The first time we learned that China was ruled by evil "dictators" was right after the failure of the Tiananmen Square color revolution. For several years afterward, irritated Americans promoted the idea of "authoritarian" Beijing oppressing free people.

Then the hysteria subsided as the business of both countries became too tightly intertwined. However, the more prosperous China became, the more dangerous it seemed. And after Xi Jinping was elected for a third term, the usual name-calling emerged. Thus, Xi is not yet a "dictator" like Vladimir Putin but already an "autocrat."

It was these, if you’ll pardon the expression, "tyrants," against whom the whole "Summit for Democracy" was organized. So, naturally, it is vital for Washington to evaluate its allies and check on how ready they are to confront Russia and China.

In turn, the 120 member countries wonder what Washington can offer them. And the U.S. offers them, above all, a "democratization" of their governments.

As part of this drive, Patrick Quirk, vice president of the International Republican Institute, chaired by U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, openly writes that Washington should be investing in funding pro-American parties in other countries and installing its proteges there in power. Furthermore, Quirk complains to his superiors that the U.S. should allocate more money to interfere in other country’s elections. Otherwise, it is not always possible to push their people into power. Juan Guaidó, for example, was never recognized as president in Venezuela.

Unfortunately, many countries have succumbed to this "democratic" blackmail without a fight. For instance, in South Korea, one of the co-hosts of the "Summit for Democracy," prime ministers obediently leave their posts one after another, head straight to prison, and nothing is being done to stop this.

But what can the U.S. give to other countries in exchange for surrendering their sovereignty?

The American economy is shrinking right before our eyes, and instead of strengthening its allies, the U.S. is trying to rob them. Europe is a clear example, and the Americans are looting it without remorse.

Now the U.S. State Department is trying to bully African countries and pit them against Russia and China. And look at how cynically the U.S. uses the Russia-Ukraine grain deal to further bankrupt Africa. Hence, the U.S. does not want prosperous countries as allies but seeks only extremely poor satellite states willing to do anything for the sake of Washington, up to and including committing suicide. In short, they need a new Ukraine.

Rationally, of course, it is much more reliable for developed countries to further their cooperation with China. China guarantees investments and strong partnerships. China means business, not Maidan revolutions.**

And if you need military aid, it makes more sense to turn to Russia. Working even in the most difficult countries around the world — such as the long-suffering Central African Republic, for example — the Russian military does not cause conflicts but extinguishes them, ensuring the safety of citizens and their legitimately elected governments. That is, in essence, they protect democracy in the most challenging areas of the world.

But what about democracy in the U.S. itself?

There’s massive election fraud, a monstrous prison system that holds a quarter of all the planet's prisoners, torture of political prisoners in the fake case of the "Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack," and a whole series of mysterious suicides of those involved. Additionally, there is brutal censorship and persecution of dissidents under the banner of cancel culture. And, the cherry on top is the mockery of Donald Trump, for whose life we already have to reason to fear a bit.

And these people are trying to teach democracy to the world. It's about time we reclaimed that word for ourselves.

**Editor’s Note: The Maidan Uprising was a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine that began in November 2013 with protesters camping out in Independence (Maidan) Square. It culminated in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych and the reinstatement of the 2004 Constitution. It also led to the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War.