Jacob G Zuma Foundation Statement on Russia and Ukraine impasse.

As one of the elders in the movement who has devoted his whole life to the liberation of the people of South Africa and a committed member of the African National Congress (ANC). H.E President Zuma felt it would be remiss of him not to exercise his constitutionally enshrined freedom of expression and share his thoughts on the developments in Russia and Ukraine conflict.

Our Patron says that the current impasse between Russia and Ukraine must be seen within the context of, in the main, dynamics in the balance of forces on a global scale.

This impasse has by default also exposed the hypocrisy of what has become the conventional wisdom which always favours the western forces including their bullying tendencies and their insatiable appetite to dominate others whilst clandestinely furthering their own agendas and interests.

Countries like Russia and China, thanks to their strong political and economic independence, have managed to defend their territories from these western bullies and must be applauded.

His Excellency President Vladimir Putin has been very patient with the western forces. He has been crystal clear about his opposition of the eastern expansion of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) into Ukraine, among other areas, and is on record about the military threat posed to Russia by the presence of these forces; if allowed to be on his door-step.

Surely in terms of efforts to achieving world peace, the sovereignty of Ukraine and all the democratic dictates cannot mean allowing NATO to establish presence on its real estate; thus, establishing an untenable security risk to Russia. Ukraine and Russia are separated only by a line on the map and not by the Baltic Sea - Why is this complicated to understand?

If forces, globally known to be hostile to the United States of America (USA), were known to be establishing presence of any sort in any of the adjacent territories within the USA; the USA would certainly act in a manner that it believes would neutralise such a perceived threat.

In reality the USA has not only acted to the counties around its borders, but it has moved around the whole world, to deal with what it has considered as threats to its national security. There are clear examples of such invasions by NATO forces in the Middle East as well as in Africa.

With the above in mind, it looks justifiable that Russia felt provoked. It is however quite fortunate that His Excellency President Vladimir Putin, unlike other small countries, has the capacity (in Russia) to respond to security threats in line with the prescripts that are applicable to his country. His actions, whereas justifiable, are still a far cry as compared with what other big powers have done when faced with such a situation.

Some western powers, who are today playing holier than thou, have invaded a number of small countries in the world e.g., Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya to name but a few. These glaring examples of interference have left those countries in ruins.

The western countries', and their acolytes' support of Ukraine (under the guise of defending the sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine) is a selfish act to further their own interests at the expense of innocent lives and property in Ukraine.

Recently, there was a disguised attack on some member countries of BRICS.

In Brazil, a progressive government, under Her Excellency Former President Dilma Rousseff, was brought down under nefarious accusations of corruption. Her comrade, His Excellency Former President Lula da Silva was accused of corruption. He was arrested and convicted. Later he was released after it was discovered that the charges were all concocted. In whose interest was this done?

In South Africa, His Excellency President Zuma was removed from office, before he finished his term, by the western forces using their forces that they are in control of within some structures of our government; and some that they control in the ruling party. He was subsequently unlawfully arrested (as confirmed by no less than two constitutional court justices) on 07 July 2021; incarcerated without a trial by the constitutional court; denied a right to appeal both the judgment and the sentence. To date there is currently no case number/docket and thus the rights of His Excellency President Zuma were grossly violated. In whose interest was this done?

In India, the Indian National Congress Party, which has widespread roots in the country, "lost" elections.

China was attacked by the credit rating agencies but fortunately, China's economic power is too big and successful, that the rating agencies failed to dent the Chinese economy and it's standing globally - China continues to be a force to be reckoned with.

Russia, a BRIGS member country is now in the cross hairs of the bullies. Ukraine is being used basically as a front, so that Russia can be brought to its knees through unjustifiable sanctions.

These facts as articulated above are important to be taken into consideration when the current impasse between Russia and Ukraine is being discussed and analysed. It is clear that without the insistence of western powers behind Ukraine, the impasse between Russia and Ukraine could be resolved quickly and amicably.