Ukraine on the brink: America must fill leadership void to support democracy

When Egyptians took to the streets in 2011, America and the world listened and pledged their support. Subsequent pro-democracy rebellions erupted across the Middle East to include Tunisia, Jordan, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Saudi Arabia and a host of other North African countries. News coverage was omnipresent; social media was on fire.

And yet, America and the West apparently fiddle as Ukraine now burns in fiery chaos.

Ukraine is in political collapse, economic disorder, and social upheaval stemming from centuries of foreign domination, decades of corrupt political leadership and years of struggles for an identity leaning either towards the European Union or the yoke of Russian stewardship. A recent ill-conceived decision by President Viktor Yanukovych to accept a $15 billion loan from Vladimir Putin’s Russia, days before an EU meeting to further strengthen ties to the West has brought crowds of more than a quarter million people to the main square in Kiev, aptly named Freedom Square. Ukrainians have now been protesting in the streets for more than two months seeking democratic process, free market reform, and basic civil liberties.

Recent days have seen the protests move from occupation to bloody fighting in the main square of Ukraine. Protesters armed with Molotov cocktails, burning tires, and cobblestones from the once beautiful square are defending their position against riot police sent in to end the occupation. Violence has ensued with casualties and deaths in the bloodiest clashes Kiev has seen since World War II.

President Yanukovych has met with opposition leaders but supposed truces have lasted little more than hours as Yanukovych lacks control of government forces, and the opposition sadly lacks experienced leadership. America and the West must fill this leadership void. Should we not, President Putin will again, and happily, exert his pressure and control and Ukraine will be either lost to the East or pushed into a chaotic and bloody civil war.

I am employed by an NGO out of Maryland that facilitates a U.S. Department of State program enabling thousands of international students to come to the United States during their summer breaks for exposure to American culture, way of life and business practices. More than anything, they are also awakened to the fact that America is not the great Satan from the West. That America’s freedoms are real. That tyranny and corruption are not always the status quo. These students return to their home countries with a global perspective that over the years, and with the economy of scale, has the power to enact change in a city, a region and a country.

While the Southern Poverty Law Center, labor unions, and others will have you believe there is constant worker exploitation involved and that various State Department programs take away jobs from hard-working Americans, the absolute truth of the program is that it is not about work and workers. It is about seeing and understanding freedom. The beauty of soft power diplomacy is that it works. It simply works, albeit slowly.

Over the past 15 years, we have assisted more than 5,000 Ukrainian students to come and work in the United States during their university holidays. I know that many of these same young men and women are now taking part in the pro-democratic protests and uprisings in the larger cities in Ukraine. Infant democracy is a beautiful thing to see.

Having traveled to Ukraine more than 20 times in the last 15 years, I have seen first hand the beauty of Ukraine and her people. And yet, they live under the watchful eye and threatening voice of a large and looming Russia. The current corrupt Ukrainian government is not only dictatorial, but continues on a sad trajectory put in place by preceding governments with a strong magnetic pull to Russia. However, a hopeful, educated and young population thirsts for Western values, be they economic, social, or otherwise. Across Ukraine, in cities large and small, industrial or agricultural, Russian speaking or Ukrainian speaking, I have encountered thousands of students that want nothing more than the chance to see things outside of Ukraine, be it working in America or studying in the UK.

As Americans, we need to remember that freedom is not only reserved for countries that benefit America through oil or other economic trade. Recent history is full of example countries that have shed the yoke of oppression and emerged as stronger and freer countries. Yet recent history is also replete with countries that have emerged from dictatorial governments only to struggle and fall again. An America that sits idly by is not the America we once were. America must move forward with immediate calls for the end of the violence in Ukraine and for free and democratic elections immediately. America must use its voice on the world stage to end Putin’s puppet mastery in Ukraine.

The people of Ukraine deserve American support and aid for their struggle for a true and corruption-free democratic government. A strong and democratic Ukraine that becomes a European Union partner state will strengthen Ukraine, strengthen the EU, strengthen the West and benefit America and Americans.

Brian Gannon is a resident of Lakeside. He works for a non-governmental agency that facilitates international students, including thousands of Ukrainians, traveling to the United States during their summer breaks. He has also traveled to the Ukraine on many occasions.