The usual sounds of laughter, songs, and chatter have been replaced by a deafening silence. Is the Bucha genocide the conflict’s new reality? Will the world remain silent or will it recognize this as genocide?

Numerous conflicts and lives have been lost, but do we see the West serving true justice by taking direct action? Countless international conventions, laws, and rights have been violated, but no real protection has been provided. How long will the arsenal of democracy remain silent as the world around us burns to cinders? How long will the pillar of democracy be able to hold onto its values as it is eroded by tyranny? How long will the voices of freedom be heard when terror appears to be the new normal? The European Union (EU) is accelerating Ukraine’s ascendancy, but will it be able to stand alone against Putin’s arsenal of destruction? When the decision to admit Ukraine as an EU member is made, the values of the entire European continent will be put to the test. This will be the EU’s first wartime ascension to membership. Is the EU prepared to go to war in order to win the peace against an unrelenting and desperate foe?

The fight for equality, freedom, the international governing system, humanitarian law, and human rights is here, but is anyone truly prepared for the countless silences that continue to befall communities throughout Ukraine? Only time will tell when we shall never have the time!
In any post-conflict situation, policies and funds for rebuilding, empowering grassroots initiatives, ensuring a stable humanitarian corridor, and protecting against gender and domestic violence are essential. In a post-conflict environment similar to that of the post-Soviet collapse, Europe must put measures in place to stop the politicization, profiteering, and proliferation of weapons.

As for a potential looming “Bloc War,” Europe ought to reconsider its unified continental security alliance and begin an equal partnership with global democracies with an emphasis on human rights, the economy, and social justice. The future has arrived, and failure to act now will have catastrophic consequences for the global governance and peacekeeping system.

The conflict in Ukraine has come to a stalemate between the two opposing forces. Nonetheless, given the amount of aid and weapons being poured into Ukraine’s defense, what is Europe’s or the West’s plan for post-conflict Ukraine? Are we prepared for a potential new Cold War or the onset of a “Bloc War” fought across all battle spheres?

In any post-conflict situation, policies and funds for rebuilding, empowering grassroots initiatives, ensuring a stable humanitarian corridor, and protecting against gender and domestic violence are essential. In a post-conflict environment similar to that of the post-Soviet collapse, Europe must put measures in place to stop the politicization, profiteering, and proliferation of weapons.

As for a potential looming “Bloc War,” Europe ought to reconsider its unified continental security alliance and begin an equal partnership with global democracies with an emphasis on human rights, the economy, and social justice. The future has arrived, and failure to act now will have catastrophic consequences for the global governance and peacekeeping system.

The West should keep an open policy to Russian refugees fleeing from Putin’s regime. The selective nature between Ukrainian and Russian refugees at Western Europe’s doorsteps will only undermine the values of human rights, freedom, and international laws in the long term. This is Europe’s moment to win hearts and minds with concrete equal asylum policies for all. The freedom granted today will ensure freedom flourishes in the future.

The bombing of Ukraine cities brings back the horrors of WWII and the political decisiveness of the West is challenged by Putin. It is a make-or-break moment for the fight for human rights but do the West has what it takes to do what is right to prevent further violations of international laws by Putin.
The brave protesters in Russia being rounded by Russian Security Services deserve the West’s support in trying to get information to the Russian people. Free and fair information is a symbol of the opposition in putting pressure on all sides to come to terms and end the conflict.
There are numerous refugees from Ukraine and most are women and children, steps and resources are needed to ensure their safety and security are provided for the long-term, to avoid exploitation, abuses, and exposure to human traffickers.

Ukraine is falling in less than a week. The central French role in negotiations with Russia in the months anteceding the escalation of tensions and the Aukus alliance were fully-fledged harbingers of the crisis of the Western security system.
From a Latin American standpoint, it seems like there is no way Putin does not obtain what he demands.

From a human rights perspective, the Euro-Atlantic allyship appears to be utterly unconcerned with the protection of fundamental rights of unarmed civilians at the gates of the European Union. The alarms raised on the bombing and shelling of civilian areas in Ukraine are a testament to this feeling of disregard.

The question is now when will Putin stop if the response of the Western security system has been so bleak? Moldova and Belarus could be at an arm’s reach inasmuch as non-NATO members and host to Russian-speaking populations. We are looking at a potential human rights catastrophe in the European continent.