Is Russia-Ukraine war only a local conflict? Perhaps not. This war is a local manifestation of the intensely increasing inner rivalry between the imperialist powers for re-division of the world amongst themselves. To be more precise, this war is an outcome of the Russian and American imperialists' desire to expand their area of dominance. The penalty of this war, which has been waged in the interests of the imperialists, is being paid by the common innocent citizens of Ukraine who are right now the victims of a devastating war.
Undoubtedly, Russia is the aggressor in this war. Whatever be the role of the rulers of Ukraine, no country has the right to wage such an aggressive war against an independent, sovereign nation to occupy it. However, we are also aware of the interests of the Anglo-American and all the other imperialist powers of Western Europe, who are shedding tears and supplying weapons to Ukraine on the pretext of helping it to protect its independence. Leave alone the history of colonialism, or even the history of numerous wars along with the two world wars in the first half of the last century, the memories of the brutal aggressions conducted by them (America and Western European countries) against the people of Iraq and Afghanistan in the recent past, to expand their area of domination and also to indiscriminately plunder the natural resources of those countries, is still fresh in our mind. It is not difficult to understand that when those imperialist powers who have conspired, plotted and even conducted numerous aggressions blatantly to occupy Cuba, Chile, Bolivia, Iraq, Afghanistan etc, now oppose Russia's aggression against Ukraine, it is a cover for their own vested interests. Words like morality, humanity, democracy are mere excuses for the imperialist powers and the ruling class of all countries. Each one of them regard this war from the geo-political interests of the capitalist class of their respective countries and are doing what must be done for their interests.
Different news media are conducting a propaganda to establish that this war is a consequence of Putin's autocracy, capriciousness, his irrational and unjustified ambition of expanding his territory. Whatever dictatorial power one may have it is a wishful thinking to believe that simply one ruler's desire can be the cause of such a big war. No ruler of any capitalist country is capable of taking such important decisions individually for his/her sake or for the sake of their ruling party. Actually, the class interests of the capitalist class or a faction of the capitalist class act as the cardinal factor behind such decisions. Here also in this case the interests of the ruling capitalist class of Russia and Ukraine is the reason for this war. Similarly, we shall see later, not only the interests of the ruling classes of these two countries, the interests of the big imperialist countries of the world are also acting behind this war. This is because Imperialism in today's world is a global system through which the capitalist system of all countries and their ruling classes are connected like the links of a chain; where, almost all, are controlled by imperialist capital like a master puppeteer controlling the invisible threads of the puppets in a show.
This war-like situation between Ukraine and Russia is a long drawn one, continuing since 2014. But then, even that situation has had a nearly two-decade earlier history. The birth of Ukraine as an independent country materialised in the beginning of the nineties of the last century with the fall of Soviet Russia and its disintegration into many states. After the fall of Soviet Union, America has been actively pursuing different countries under the erstwhile Soviet bloc as well as many countries belonging to previous Soviet Union to switch over to its camp. Beginning from 1999, many countries, at different times, were included in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), the alliance led by America. Different countries of the erstwhile Soviet bloc like Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania were included in this. Apart from them, there were also countries of former Soviet Union like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In the beginning, during this process of break-up, Russia's economic and military strength was too weak to oppose this strategy of expansion of America's hegemony. During this period, talks of Ukraine joining NATO surfaced repeatedly with Russia opposing this move every time. The logic or excuse put forward by Russia's ruling class was that Ukraine, far from being a different nationality, was very much a part of Russian nationality. This aggressive idea of big Russian nationalism is prevalent in a large sections of Russian population and it is skilfully manipulated by the Russian ruling class. But the main thing is, the geographic, rather, the geo-strategic position of Ukraine is such, that the inclusion of Ukraine in NATO will bring America's dominance up to Russia's doorsteps. Meanwhile, NATO's military, deployed in all the East European countries of NATO, have already practically encircled Russia. Just three nations on the border of Russia - Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine -- are yet to join NATO, while America is trying its utmost to influence these countries by all means. If Ukraine joins NATO, America will fulfill its aim in this part of the World.
Besides the geo-strategic importance, Ukraine's economic importance, especially due to its rich natural resources, is also there. Apart from this, there is also another importance of Ukraine with respect to the Western Europe. A gas pipeline from Russia passes through Ukraine which supplies gas to Western Europe. The economy of Western Europe is dependent on this gas supply from Russia, whereas Ukraine is also a large beneficiary due to revenue from this pipeline.
When US imperialism extended NATO to Eastern Europe, Russia was too weak to oppose it. It could do nothing apart from delivering oral protestations or taking diplomatic measures. Since then, Russia has gradually grown to become an economic and military force to reckon with. Soon enough, Russia began to resist America's design of military expansion. An example of this effort was the Russia-Georgia war of 2008. In the 2008 Bucharest Summit of NATO, the decision to include Georgia and Ukraine to NATO was undertaken, and within six months, Russia attacked Georgia. Russia exploited the angst and subsequent revolt of the people in two regions of Georgia against their rulers.
No doubt, it has always been Russia's interest to appoint a puppet ruler in Ukraine to keep it under its control. But did only Russia want to appoint a puppet ruler? Didn't America also want it? In 2014, the then pro-Russian President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovyich was ousted from power through mass protests. It is widely believed that America played an important role in that change of the ruler by America directly. A phone conversation between the then US Assistant Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland and American ambassador to Ukraine proved that America was directly involved in deciding who was to be in power in Ukraine. On the other hand, Russia too, began invading Ukrainian territories. On one hand, it annexed Russian majority Crimea and on the other hand, began to directly fund the pro-Russian separatists in a Russian population dominated region of East Ukraine. The war between the Russian rebels against Ukraine's army in Donetsk and Luhansk region of Donbas area of Ukraine is still ongoing as of 2022.
In this manner, the conflicts between Russian and American imperialism over Ukraine has exacerbated. There are probably two reasons for this recent escalation. First - to decrease its dependency upon Ukraine for supplying gas to western Europe, owing to the feuds between them, Russia recently completed two gas pipeline projects - Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, which will help Russia to supply gas without Ukraine's help. The project of Nord Stream 2 has been completed at the end of last year and is expected to be operational soon. Ukraine opposes this as it will incur heavy losses in gas transit fees once the pipeline starts operating. Many believe that once the pipelines start operating, Western European countries will become hugely dependent upon Russia leading to closer ties between them and this might prove detrimental to the interests of America, spurring US to oppose this project. Among the sanctions imposed by America to check Russia, resisting the operations of Nord Stream 2 tops the list. Second - without paying heed to Russia's protests, America is inching towards Ukraine's inclusion to NATO. Probably, this incident added fuel to fire. Different organisations of Western Imperialist countries also hold that inclusion of Ukraine to NATO is one of the principal reasons behind this conflict. Another conclusive evidence for this is that the principal condition laid down by Putin to end the war is to change laws in Ukraine to prevent its joining NATO. The other conditions include recognising the independence of the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk region of Donbas area and accepting Crimea as Russia's territory. In short, Russia wants Ukraine to acquiesce to its demand of annexing Crimea and adapt measures to stop America from including it to NATO.
Though the Russian and American imperialists play a major role behind this war, the ruling class of Ukraine is not far behind. They have openly rooted for American imperialists and have adapted a dubious stand regarding democracy. Ukraine's clamour that it is a victim of Russia's assault on its independence, sovereignty and democracy is true. But conversely, when the Russian- dominated region of Donbas expressed its desire to separate from Ukraine, all that Ukraine did was to crush the revolts brutally with its army. The casualty of this war between the rebels and Ukrainian army since 2014 is already 14,000. Just as Ukraine has the right of self-determination, the majority Russian population of Donbas too possesses the same right. This method of crushing the protests with bullets and bayonets is also not the path of democracy. It is also a fact that the cease fire agreement reached between the rebels and the army has been violated by Ukraine's ruling class.
In short, the US and Russian imperialists and to a certain extent, the ruling class of Ukraine is responsible for this war. The horrendous burden of the war arising out of Russian and American imperialists' bid to conquer and dominate, is being borne by the people of Ukraine. Along with Russia's aggression, American imperialism and its policy of subjugation and domination is equally responsible for this war. Instead of standing up for its people's freedom and sovereignty in the truest sense, Ukraine kept vacillating between Russia and NATO for its vested interests. Even the ruling class of all countries are deciding which side to take after weighing the pros and cons carefully. The same goes true for India's ruling class. The government and ruling class of India did not take any side rigidly which, of course, does not construe that they are against the imperialist policies of these two countries. Adapting an opportunist policy, India is protesting the war against Ukraine but not actually opposing Russia's aggression. Of course, the reason is simple enough. Owing to many economic and military pacts, India's ruling class is dependent upon Russia in more ways than one which makes it difficult for them to oppose Russia directly. On the other hand, they are also dependent upon America on various economic and military issues, hence it is particularly hard to support Russia and stand openly against America. These are the reasons being put forth to explain India's game of 'balance' touted as being 'neutral', which, obviously, has nothing to do with ethical/moral standing.
The heavy price of this war is being borne and has to be borne by the toiling people. Thousands of Ukrainians are facing death and destruction, thousands and thousands of common citizens of Ukraine have taken shelter in neighbouring countries as refugees. It is uncertain when they will be able to return to their homeland or whether they will able to return at all. The effects of this war are not limited to the people of Ukraine. There is deep apprehension that this war may spread over a greater region. It is being touted as the biggest war in Europe after WWII. Many have expressed fears whether this war will be the beginning of the Third World War. Even if this does not happen, it can be said that this war will be the reason for ruining the lives of the poor toiling people all over the world. Due to this war, fuel prices have been increasing steadily and this burden ultimately, will have to be shouldered by the poor citizens. The burden of the pitfalls and crises in trade owing to the war will also ultimately fall on the workers and toiling people.
But the significance of this war is not limited to just this. Starting from the end of eighties decade of the last century, when the Soviet Russia began to disintegrate, western imperialist countries under the leadership of United States of America ruthlessly attacked the underdeveloped and developing nations to intensify the exploitation of workers and other toiling masses and also to plunder their natural resources. We are quite familiar with the brutal attacks of imperialist capital in the name of globalisation which began from then. The imperialists intensified their plunder of oil from different countries of Middle East Asia including Iraq and for that reason they waged a devastating war against Iraq. They were able to do so because the fall of the mighty Soviet Russia had already established US as the one and only mighty power. But another important reason is the defeat of the International Socialist Movement of the working class. The working class was scattered and unorganised globally. Neither did they have a party, nor an organised class struggle. Consequently, it was impossible for the proletariat to resist the attack imperialist capital and of the of indigenous capital of their respective countries. The ruling bourgeoisie of different countries congregated in the camp of imperialist powers led by American imperialism. They dominated and exploited the world unilaterally in the absence of those who could truly resist their attacks -- the international working class.
When US imperialism flagrantly attacked Iraq in 1990-1991, not only the whole imperialist camp was united behind it, they also aided in the attacks actively. After the fall of Soviet Russia, the world was termed as unipolar whose undisputed leader was US imperialism. Three decades hence, have ushered a lot of changes in the world map. The US and Western imperialist powers began their era of indiscriminate exploitation and oppression through globalisation from 1990s. During this phase, the giant monopoly corporations began investing capital in China and other third world countries. They made huge profits by exploiting the cheap labour of these countries. But these three decades of globalisation also brought many changes in the balance of capitalist powers. Especially, the economic crisis of 2008 brought far-fetching changes in the imperialist world. The undisputed leader of imperialism -- the US, is now crippled with economic crises. From the recent back out from Afghanistan, it is very much clear that US imperialism is failing to retain its absolute supremacy over the world. Different powers have appeared in the stage who are capable of countering its might. The European imperialist powers except UK, have now organised themselves independently in European Union. Though still a friend of US imperialism, they have already organised themselves separately under the leadership of Germany. Britain has quit European Union. Meanwhile, China has emerged as a new power and is now a number one contender of US as an economic power. China has also started expanding its military might to its neighbouring regions in order to dominate them. Through this war it is also amply clear that Russia, who has been weakened considerably after the fall of Soviet Russia, has now overcome its weaknesses and wants to be a strong contender. In short, the unipolar world created after the fall of Soviet Russia is now disintegrating and the imperial powers are now divided into different camps, thus initiating the journey towards a multipolar world from a unipolar one.
The causes for these conflicts between the imperialist powers are obviously economic. The ongoing feud is centred around who or which alliance will control the fruits of exploitation and oppression of capital worldwide, leading to the formation of new blocs. The period of free trade and investment of capital which started from the commencement of globalisation are beginning to display signs of falling apart. Various countries are now imposing different restrictions on import, new protectionist policies are being implemented. These are nothing but efforts to occupy new markets or retain control over the old markets.
But the economic competition between imperialist powers cannot stay limited to economy alone and so it is now. The economic competition has given way to a display of military power and different military blocs are coming up. These economic and military blocs are yet to take a permanent shape. They are going through the breaking and making process. Different influential countries are taking different measures to extend their influence. In short, the preparation to divide and re-divide the world amongst themselves have begun. On one hand, US imperialism is trying its utmost to retain its old dominance, on the other hand, the other powers are advancing to increase their influence and might. The present Russia-Ukraine war is a result of the conflicts between Russia and America and similar conflicts are emerging separately throughout the world. Which is why, this Russia-Ukraine war is not a stand-alone incident, it is a reflection of the deep conflicts emerging between the imperialist powers and how these conflicts are overstepping their boundaries of talks and economic competitions and advancing towards military conflicts. Which means, it will not be possible to discard the possibilities of the emergence of more such conflicts and wars in many regions in the future.
This also means that the imperialist powers and the national rulers are gearing up to increase the burden of the citizens massively because the price of these wars will ultimately have to be shouldered by the commoners. But this is only one aspect of the situation. Another aspect is that the working class and the toiling people will be unable to maintain their status quo. Crises in life will push them towards struggle. The two world wars created by the conflicts between the imperialist powers had brought about unimaginable pain and agony to the people; but during these world wars, the working class, taking advantage of the conflicts between the imperialist powers, had expropriated power in different countries, thus, beginning their journey towards socialism. It is true that the present situation of the struggles of the working class are completely different from what it was then. At that time, there were working class parties in different countries, there was a legacy of class struggles of the working class. Today, after a shattering defeat, the working class stands divided and scattered. But the more the world is inflamed, the more the struggles of the working class and common people will increase. The role of the communists will be to organise the vanguard of the proletariat that has been rising to the fore from the ever-increasing protests of the working class and to show them the direction towards abolishing capitalism. The annihilation of Imperialism -Capitalism is not only the means for emancipation from oppression for the working class and the toiling people; it is also the only path to free the world from the debilitating effects of these wars.
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