On supporting Ukraine: The UK needs to maintain its influence

Thoughts on supporting Ukraine from broken Britain

The UK is currently in an economic tailspin, suffering massively due to the fallout of Brexit. There is a cost of living crisis. Nothing seems to work anymore. Councils can’t prepare for adverse weather events. The trains are expensive and barely run. There is widespread and enduring strike action among much needed sections of society. The ambulances, the postal workers, the teachers, the nurses. At this point it is quicker to list who’s not on strike.

I was contemplating all of this recently whilst clearing up what will be our own Zen Rose Garden. A tidy corner of quiet, nestled behind several bamboo bushes and a newly erected Torii gate style arch. Britain seems to be in a bad way. That’s not up for debate. Yet there are much worse parts of the world not so far from home that may put our problems in perspective. Thinking it all over also reminded me why supporting Ukraine is important.

We got problems sure but…

As the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches I considered what living in a war zone would be like. I concluded there are four main issues that I am grateful I don’t encounter currently living in southern England.

Violence and danger

One of the most obvious and immediate effects of war is the violence and danger it brings. People living in Ukraine face constant threats to their safety, from missile attacks, bombings, shelling, and other forms of violence. We who do not live in war zones should be ever so grateful for peace.

Loss of life and loved ones

War results in the loss of life, potentially including the deaths of friends, family members, and other loved ones. The trauma of losing someone in a violent and sudden way can be incredibly difficult to process, and the grief may never be overcome. Just as everyone in the UK knows someone affected directly by Covid now, everyone in Ukraine will know numerous people affected by grief.

Evacuations/displacement of people

Wars lead to displacement. Witness the surge of Ukrainian refugees last year across a (mostly) welcoming Europe. This has led to a host of issues, including homelessness, difficulty accessing basic resources like food and livelihoods, and trauma. I can be thankful I am not on the verge of being displaced from my home.

Destruction of infrastructure

Due to Russia’s barbaric tactics the war has meant the destruction of infrastructure and a breakdown of normal economic activity. It has brought about economic instability and uncertainty, making it difficult for people to live. Let alone plan for the future or build a sustainable livelihood.

Getting on with life is hard enough in peace time! I can’t imagine what it must be like for the Ukrainian people right now with non-functioning basics such as water and electricity, with the additional threat of violence/terror and loss of life.

Supporting Ukraine from a Zen perspective

From a Zen perspective, our ultimate goal is inner peace and living in harmony with ourselves and others. It is true that a Zen perspective promotes peace. Yet, it does not necessarily mean that a peaceful solution is always the right answer in every situation. Supporting Ukraine may indeed involve more violence.

I was trying to think of a situation in history where a Zen perspective supports a war effort. One (potentially controversial) historical example of Zen Buddhism used in a militant capacity is the Japanese samurai class. They were known to practice Zen meditation as a means of cultivating focus and discipline. The idea was to keep a calm mind in the midst of battle. Samurai warriors were often involved in violent conflicts and warfare but many of them were also deeply committed to the practice of Zen Buddhism. They often saw it as a means of achieving spiritual and moral clarity in their lives.

The situation in the east of Europe has led to suffering for many Ukrainians. Whilst promoting peace and nonviolence is significant, it is also important to consider that sometimes a peaceful solution may not be possible. Or may not address the root causes of the conflict.

I get that it is tricky to humiliate a nuclear power but I think we need to hurry up and give Ukraine all it needs. Instead of tiptoeing round honouring diplomacy, western allies should be doing more in supporting Ukraine. At the least by supplying arms/training to Ukraine with more efficiency and haste.

Zen Buddhism as an antidote to the situation in Ukraine

In Zen Buddhism, one of the key principles is non-attachment to the ego, combined with a focus on the present moment. This principle can be seen as relevant to issues of violence and power mentioned here. It encourages individuals to let go of the desire for personal gain and control, and to act in the present moment in a way that is compassionate and just.

In the context of the samurai this principle of non-attachment was seen as a way to temper the violent impulses that might arise in the context of war and conflict. By focusing on the present moment and acting in a way that was just and compassionate, the samurai were able to balance their martial duties with a commitment to ethical and moral principles.

In the case of Western support for Ukraine against Russian state-terrorism, the principles of Zen Buddhism are pertinent. For example, the principle of non-attachment to the ego could be seen as relevant to the question of national interests and power politics. By letting go of the desire for personal gain and control, Western powers might be able to find ways to support Ukraine that are not driven solely by their own interests.

This might look like more strategic aid and could lead to creative responses to continuing Russian aggression. The UK has been a stern ally of Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. It should continue to use its influence in supporting Ukraine and defending against the Russian assault on the western way of life.

Why supporting Ukraine’s war effort is important

So the Zen principles may provide a how to go about solving the geopolitical problems but the why question is just as important. The reason is in our cultural values. Basically, the ideals of democracy and freedom are fundamental values for modern Western societies. I have discussed before why people fight for freedom.

These are not just lofty ideals. In a practical sense, they promote individual rights, social equality, and peaceful conflict resolution. Upholding these values is crucial as they provide the underlying framework for fair and just governance that benefits all members of society.

When aggression and imperialism are allowed to go unchecked, such as the current Russian invasion, it leads to numerous evils. These include the violation of human rights, endemic political instability, and the potential for spreading armed conflict. In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, its annexation of Crimea and the eastern regions have violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ongoing atrocities continue to cause significant human suffering and economic damage. Upholding the ideals of democracy and freedom in the face of such aggression would help to prevent further destabilization and promote a resolution to the conflict. At this point I am not sure how all sides can save face. Forget nuclear Armageddon, the main reason is stopping other ambitious evil doers from enacting their megalomaniacal fantasies.

Upholding these values will serve as a deterrent against further aggression. We as Western nations need to put off other would-be bad actors by demonstrating there are consequences to violating territorial integrity. Defending these values will preserve stability and security around the world. Thus contributing to the protection of individual and collective freedoms globally.

Final thoughts

I am grateful that I live in a peaceful part of the world even if the UK has many problems facing it right now. UK PLC needs to recover from looking like an international basket case, for the disastrous decision of Brexit and successive Tory loons as leaders.

Therefore, Britain should continue to be a leading voice in the Ukrainian conflict. We should be arming and training as much as is feasible and encouraging our allies to do the same. Supporting Ukraine is the right course of action. There is much at stake.