DURBAN - The conflict between Russia and Ukraine may worsen as the US government gave the “green light” to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) countries, to send fighter jets in support of Ukrainian forces against the Russian military.
On Sunday, on CBS News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said the US government was talking to its Polish friends about support they may provide to Nato countries, if they choose to provide fighter jets to Ukrainians fighting against Russian military operations.
Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate-General in Durban, Jaclyn Cole, would not comment on Blinken’s statement, except to say the US was responding to the “unprovoked invasion of Ukraine” by Russia.
“Civilians have been killed; we have seen people protesting in many parts of the world including Russia and Belarus. We are diplomatically and politically engaged with other countries, including South Africa, which has said only a peaceful diplomatic solution may end the conflict.”
The Russian embassy in Pretoria could not immediately comment but promised to respond in the near future.
Last week, Russian state media Sputnik, quoted the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that Moscow could not guarantee there would be no incidents with Nato over its arms supplies to Ukraine.
South Africa's former consul-general to China and veteran politician who spent time in prison with Nelson Mandela, Lassy Chiwayo, said President Vladimir Putin’s military operation,was taking on a “very sophisticated dimension” that would completely change the future. Chiwayo said “just as Putin had said, ‘the federation was prepared’ for any outcome”.
The former diplomat criticised the US government for playing the role of, “policeman of the world” noting that when America was invading territories of other countries, no sanctions were unleashed against the US.
“This war is as a result of Western aggression. You can’t arm your neighbours with weapons and expect your neighbours not to react. Russia is defending itself and will not back down until it is satisfied there’s no threat against it.”
Social commentator Sizwe SikaMusi said South Africa was in a difficult position because no matter which side it chose, there would be negative consequences in its relations with either Russia or the US. The country’s membership of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia,India, China and SA) bloc meant that ignoring the BRICS dynamics would damage relations with Russia and jeopardise money invested in the New Development Bank.
“The West will naturally punish us if it suspects that we are siding with Russia. The only thing is for the government to call for de-escalation of tensions.”
Daily News