Ukraine is fighting on behalf of all democracies
An opinion piece by Ambassador Matt Field on 1 year since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
In War: Resolution, In Defeat: Defiance, In Victory: Magnanimity In Peace: Good Will.
Any visitor to the UK Embassy in Prague will have walked past the statue of Winston Churchill. While we have lost the direct connection we felt through Queen Elizabeth II, for whom he was her first Prime Minister, Churchill still looms large in the British consciousness. He certainly had his flaws. But his legacy was defined during the most difficult times, when war loomed over Europe, and the UK stood against aggressive tyranny.
Since 24 February, one year ago, war has again loomed large over Europe. Our collective security is threatened. And at risk is the hard-won progress and peace, painstakingly built over generations by our predecessors.
Russia’s unprovoked attack against a sovereign and democratic Ukraine was a moment of collective awakening. The inadequacy of the international response to Russia’s breach of international boundaries in 2014, and subsequent developments in Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine, was laid bare. While the United Kingdom and Czech Republic had been warning for some time, many political leaders did not, could not, recognise the threat until it had already happened. There is little satisfaction to be proven correct in such tragic moments.
Putin’s Russia completely miscalculated the resolve and resilience of the Ukrainian people, expecting a swift and dramatic victory. Instead, we have all seen the bravery and defiance of Ukraine, led by President Zelenskyy, as they have stopped and then pushed back the Russian aggression.
The United Kingdom and the Czech Republic have been steadfast and practical friends to the Ukrainian people, through military support, humanitarian assistance, and in hosting displaced Ukrainians. The UK has provided £4 billion in help, while the Czech Republic has received the largest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita of any country. The generosity and empathy of the Czech people has been clear to me since my first day here.
As we remember the terrible events of 24 February, and the subsequent 12 months, it is worth reflecting on and remembering why both of our countries continue to stand with Ukraine. If Putin’s Russia is allowed to disregard international law and the UN Charter, to use force to impose its will on a sovereign country, we all lose. And the risk of further aggression only increases. No-one else is responsible for this war but Putin.
Ukraine is fighting for all democracies. Its success will be our success, and success for a peaceful and law-abiding European future. This is why the UK and Czech Republic are providing help to Ukraine, because of both solidarity and self-interest, as countries built on democratic principles. We are equally inspired by our own domestic democratic legacy of the likes of Havel, Pankhurst and Horákova.
Speaking recently to the UK Parliament in person, President Zelenskyy said that he was confident ‘freedom will win’, a message he no doubt repeated in meetings with His Majesty King Charles III, and Prime Minister Fiala, in Brussels. It is up to friends of Ukraine, and friends of freedom, to help ensure that it does. We will all benefit from the lasting, just peace to follow.