At a time when the world is focussed on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the lives affected and lost, we may quickly forget that everyday people, organisations and businesses can get caught up in this…from both sides and are innocent or even unwilling participants.
What the leaders of nations do and say is usually not the word of the people nor the will and intention, however history has taught us that information can be corrupted and biased to gain favour with allies and the support of the people in whose name these conflicts build up and eventually break out.
In the immediate aftermath of when Russian forces broke through the Ukraine borders and made their presence felt on military targets, the world was awoken to what was truly going on.
Instead of diplomacy, negotiation and making the world aware of what Russian leader; Putin and the rest of the government believed were wrong doings within the Ukrainian nation which could affect the security of Russia, Putin broke ranks and decide to invade a nation ill prepared to defend itself, albeit it tried by forsaking the rural areas to defend the cities whilst enlisting everyday people in the war effort against invaders.
At these times it is difficult to discuss matters that are trivial in comparison however the Ukrainian sidecar manufacturer of the past; Dnepr had very similar roots to that of the Ural…essentially its Russian counterpart.
Both sidecar motorcycles and companies were developed out of post WWII where German BMW R71 was copied by the then Soviet Union. The Dnepr was produced in Kiyv, Ukraine and the Ural was produced in various cities around Russia such as Moscow, Leningrad and St Petersburg…however they shared the same designs, mentality and ideology.
Both companies struggled and were largely supported by the Soviet military machine, but when the Soviet Union was dismantled, only Ural survived as the Russian military continued to use it and it was gaining favour in civilian circles for adventurers and rural riders wishing to carry much more than themselves, whereas Dnepr saw a gradually diminishing return until it was largely just a memory.
Both machines shared heritage and philosophy. Both shared a vision of the future and where they would be applied…but times changed and as the peoples moved in different directions so did these two motorcycle sidecar companies.
Ukraine and Russia have been contesting the region for nearly a decade, both the recognised borders and regions within Ukraine itself that still has large populations of Russian separatists that would like to dismantle the status quo and rejoin Russia…much to the appeal of Putin who has unreservedly had ambitions and aspirations to rebuild the Soviet Union.
Whilst Putin initially attempted to justify the invasion to remove what he referred to as Nazis and Drug Dealers within Ukraine, really what he was looking to do was act to split up Ukraine and regain Russian strongholds whilst keeping European and Nato influence away from its own borders.
It is undeniable that there has been a political far right increase in many countries in recent years and criminality affects all countries, Ukraine is not immune from this, but to use this as justification is as ridiculous as it is dangerous.
Now the political leaders of the world, from the European Union and from Nato have joined as one in condemnation of the Russian invasion…where soldiers on both sides are being killed, civilians are slain and the collateral damage is clear to see. Russian forces were told this was a training exercise on the borders that quickly shifted into an invasion operation…war and occupation.
They were not ready for this and dare say many did not agree with what they were being told to do to their neighbouring country either. Ukrainian civilians were being given rifles and weapons to defend their homes and heartlands whilst Molotov cocktail production went into overdrive.
Global & European countries quickly implemented economic sanctions on Russia. Ceasing trade, devaluing currency and banning cargo, flights and financial transactions and institutions…all with the aim to hurt the Russian government and force them into a retreat and adjust their ways. But these are long term measures which had a minimal affect on Putin and his supporters…but will have an immediate affect of the disproportionately poor in Russia…that’s everyday people who want nothing more than to live in peace like the rest of us.
And for the rest of us…we can only look on in horror and see what is happening in Ukraine but realise that energy supplies to Europe from Russia are what Putin has factored would be a big stick he can weald forcing up the cost of living for everyone else especially those countries so reliant on oil and gas for energy production. Any sanction imposed on Russia by our leaders will also have a negative impact on our lives too. Nobody wins at whatever level we would wish to compare…individual, business, financial or nation…and all because Russia invaded Ukraine!
Whilst the Ukrainian people are fighting for their lives and their homes, they are also calling for more help from other countries…from Europe and Nato. Politicians are full of rhetoric, firm words and thumb pointing which is inflaming the situation and acting to solidify the resolve of Putin and those who believe these invasive actions to be just and proper…however they stop short at saying that they will get us involved in the war effort. They pledge weapons support and more sanctions and a global disapproval but nothing that would indicate to Russia that the West is pushing for WWIII.
Putin has already suggested that his nuclear forces are to be primed…so we have already come to the edge of a nuclear threat and all we can hope is that Ukraine can be supported in whatever way is possible without inflaming a situation and escalation to somewhere nobody wants to be. Where Russian politicians, forces and the people see sense and retreat…and the people of Ukraine can find some solace in the fight they gave in defending their country…a land that will take years to fix and generations for people to heal…
But before that can happen…in the words of John Lennon…”Give Peace a Chance”