Ukraine: imperialism's drive to war
Coalition of the Willing: Macron, Starmer
& Zelensky
The political map of Europe changed when Trump met Zelensky, a meeting expected to transfer Ukrainian resources to the US and with a Ukrainian agreement to a peace process. It ended with Zelensky being ejected from the White House.
A second meeting took place where Zelensky agreed to sign over resources to the US and to support a 30-day ceasefire.
Now the Trump/Putin meeting has clarified things. A partial ceasefire is on offer, but it in the context of a more general settlement between the US and Russia. The US aims, for political and economic collapse in Russia have clearly not been met and they are cutting their losses.
That doesn't mean peace. The US proposal is that the European powers take up the task.
The immediate result of the first Trump-Zelensky meeting was a UK convened council of war with a commitment of building a €600 billion war chest funded by welfare cuts - Guns not Butter! After Zelensky's agreement to a ceasefire the “Coalition of the Willing” war council immediately became a ceasefire council with the same programme.
The immediate function of the alliance is to force a continuation of the war. The proposal is open entry of NATO troops into Ukraine - a massive escalation and the central issue for Russia - but only if the US will guarantee intelligence and air support.
The parliamentary vote for German rearmament highlighted another aspect of the crisis. The European powers are accepting the US order to double their military spend and begin a forever war of confrontation with Russia and to drive for a recovery of European capitalism based on arms expenditure. The Irish government has pledged to play its part in the drive to war.
The guns not butter drive is a direct attack on workers. The consequences can already be seen in Britain, where the sick and disabled are being robbed while Starmer pledges a return to the Empire. The idea that western imperialism is playing a progressive role in Ukraine and a villainous role in West Asia is wrong. Imperialism has only one role, and that is to oppress the workers.
We are being blinded by propaganda.
A continuation of war can only harm Ukraine. A peace deal should be struck
now. Then we should seek a reckoning with capitalism both at home and abroad.