Bernard Henri-Levi and George Soros wrote an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times discussing the immediacy of the situation in the Ukraine, how the Ukraine needs outside assistance, and that the future of Europe depends on autonomy for the region.

They write about a “new Ukraine” that is forming, free from the corruption of the past and reminiscent of the Georgian reforms in the mid-90s. “The transformation has been a rare experiment in participatory democracy, a noble adventure of a people who has rallied to open their nation to modernity, democracy and Europe, and this is just the beginning.”

The new Ukrainian Parliament is made up of volunteers who have given up lucrative jobs to dedicate themselves to self-determination and nation building. At the same time, they are working to find roles for displaced Ukranians in local governments. This is happening under the radar of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who is committed to crushing any green shoots of democracy in the Ukraine.

The fact that the “new Ukraine” is a “well-kept secret” is both a benefit and a liability. As long as it is covert, it avoids the iron fist of Putin. However, it also is unable to get the support it needs from European allies. Soros and Bernard Henry-Levy proposes $15 billion for the Ukraine’s immediate needs, especially after the city  of Mauripol came under attack; it was reported that the forces were backed by Russian troops, according to NATO. Europe must come to the aid of the Ukraine, according to Soros and Henry-Levy, to prevent Putin from further incursions.

George Soros and Bernard Henri-Levy: The World Must Aid The Ukraine...

Published

January 27, 2015