What is real solidarity with Ukraine?
Many left group’s headlines and banners against the Russian invasion also include one of Putin’s principle demands – No to NATO.
At a daily rally of Ukrainians in Sydney last weekend, the contrast struck me. The Ukrainians are begging for military assistance, and in particular to “Close the skies”, which is obviously addressed to NATO and its allies.
Is this why the organised left is not at the Ukrainians’ rallies, making their solidarity loud and clear? Because that solidarity is conditional on purist anti-imperialism and rejection of NATO, which would make absolutely no sense to the Ukrainians?
This is putting a Putin demand re NATO ahead of actual solidarity with the invaded Ukrainians.
NATO in relation to Ukraine is in fact doing the opposite of what the “No to NATO” slogan implies. Far from committing NATO forces to fight Russia, NATO is holding back, in an effort to avoid escalation beyond the borders of Ukraine. It actually doesn’t suit NATO to fight. So if there’s any relevant watchword based on solidarity with the Ukrainians in relation to NATO, it’s that the Ukrainians can’t rely on NATO to fight for them. They really need arms and aid for their own use. In other words “No trust in NATO.”
Working class and socialist solidarity with Ukraine again the invasion means turning up to Ukrainians own protests, with banners proclaiming our slogans of genuine solidarity.
If Ukrainians don’t see and hear solidarity from the left and the union movement, they will have all the more reason to believe that their best supporters are to be found on the right of politics.
outburst 
Leave a Comment