Nation’s Duplicity In Ukraine’s War

The visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House stirred significant controversy, most especially around the aggressive propaganda campaign his government, along with the support of international media outlets, launched to portray Ukraine as the victim of Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy’s visit didn’t just expose the hardness of heart he had towards the Trump administration, it also revealed the duplicity of nations and regions who sought to fill the gap that was filled by Trump’s removal of aid to Ukraine.

And one region stood out from them all – the European Union.

Whilst some may still regard Zelenskyy as a hero, concerns have ballooned with the European Union due to their ongoing support for Ukraine, especially in light of its own pressing domestic issues.

Duplicity on the International Stage

There is also a notable level of duplicity in Europe’s stance toward Russia. While European nations publicly support Ukraine, they continue to fund Russia’s war efforts through energy imports, among other trade practices.

Here are some examples:

• Energy Imports: Prior to the war, Europe was a major importer of Russian oil and natural gas. Even as European countries expressed support for Ukraine, Russian energy exports continued flowing into Europe, generating billions in revenue for the Kremlin. This paradoxical situation meant that European nations were financially supporting the Russian government while publicly condemning its actions in Ukraine.
• Continued Trade and Economic Ties: Despite sanctions, some European countries have maintained trade relations with Russia in sectors outside of energy, such as raw materials, industrial goods, and technology. These ongoing trade deals indirectly fund Russia’s military operations, undermining the impact of sanctions and conflicting with Europe’s support for Ukraine.
• German Investments in Russian Infrastructure: Germany, a key European economy, invested heavily in Russian infrastructure projects, notably the Nord Stream gas pipelines. These investments allowed Russia to generate substantial revenue, deepening Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. Even after the war began, Russia continued benefiting from these long-term infrastructure investments before sanctions were fully implemented.
• European Purchases of Russian Diamonds: Russia, through the state-owned company Alrosa, is one of the world’s largest producers of diamonds. European nations, including Belgium, have continued purchasing Russian diamonds, providing additional revenue to the Kremlin. This trade has allowed Russia to maintain a steady flow of capital, supporting both its economy and military operations.

These examples reveal a complicated and sometimes contradictory relationship between Europe and Russia. Economic ties have undermined the intended impact of sanctions and aid to Ukraine, enabling the Kremlin to continue funding its war efforts despite public statements of support for Ukraine.

Christian Perspective on National Duplicity

From a Christian perspective, duplicity in a nation is fundamentally wrong because it contradicts the biblical call to live with honesty, integrity, and righteousness whether it be those working in the home or those working in government.

Proverbs 12:22 tells us, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

When a nation engages in duplicity—saying one thing and doing another—it not only misleads its own people but also violates God’s command to be truthful in all our dealings.

Nations have the responsibility to uphold and further transparency, most especially as they are accountable to their citizens. By acting dishonestly, nations undermine the trust of their people which increases divisions.

Furthermore, duplicity within a nation harms their relationships with other countries.

Jesus taught in Matthew 5:37, “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no.” This principle calls for straightforwardness and integrity, and nations are no exception.

When a nation acts in a duplicitous manner, it leads to confusion and disillusionment, sowing distrust not only between governments but also among their citizens.

The church, as the body of Christ, is called to promote peace, truth, and justice in all areas of life, including the political realm!

What a time we have at this current juncture as the body of Christ to lead by example in speaking the absolute truth of God’s Word without compromise, from matters of faith to matters concerning the government, wherever we are called to be the light in this generation.

May this story serve as an important reminder to us not to allow any form of duplicity in our lives so that as we lead in our respective spheres of influence, we lead with integrity and with clarity.

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