Supporting Ukraine Shouldn’t Be Based on Ethnicity or Proximity, But on Universal Principles of Justice
In 1857, English poet and Chartist leader Ernest Jones penned a series of articles for The People’s Paper regarding the “Indian Mutiny.” He argued that it was not merely a “mutiny” but a “national insurrection” that Britons should support, much like their previous support for European struggles. He noted that if Britons were “on the side of Poland” in its fight for freedom against Russia, then they should be equally supportive of India’s fight for independence.
This historical parallel came to mind as I observed the various reactions to Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s invasion. The invasion is brutal and unjust, attacking both democracy and sovereignty. Our opposition to such an assault should be as strong as our stance against the Saudi aggression in Yemen. We should stand with the Ukrainian people in the same way we support those in Syria.
However, some, like Tim Stanley from The Telegraph, argue that Ukraine commands more sympathy because it is a European nation. On BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, Stanley claimed that the war in Ukraine resonates more with people because its victims could be “our sons or fathers.” He suggested it’s harder to empathize with those facing war in Yemen or Iraq, as if proximity and ethnicity are the only factors that determine our empathy and support.
