The Canadian government is about to confiscate a Russian cargo plane parked in Toronto. The Kremlin warns that relations between Canada and Russia are on the verge of rupture. In fact, this rupture seems inevitable. Its ultimate responsibility lies with the Russians.
However, the confiscation of the Russian cargo plane poses a problem. This aircraft was used to transport emergency medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In other words, this aircraft saved lives in Canada. Then the plane was grounded because of the war in Ukraine, because Russian planes were banned from flying in Canada.
Confiscating the aircraft would therefore be a petty gesture, to say the least.
Transfer
The diplomatic rift between Canada and Russia is inevitable. Ottawa should have initiated it a long time ago, or at the very least, reduced the number of Russian diplomats in Canada to a minimum.
When the Russian government warns that Canada’s actions could lead to a breakdown in relations between the two countries, it tries to place the blame for this breakdown on Canada’s shoulders. It is not so. Russia has militarily attacked Ukraine under false pretenses.
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Such a break will weaken Russia’s espionage and influence apparatus. It will send a clear message. It will encourage other countries to do the same.
No choice
Canada has no choice but to defend the camp of democracy against dictatorships.
But the democracies are weaker than before, because their demographic weight and their relative economic power have diminished.
This sad reality forces the leaders of democracies to make a pact with authoritarian regimes to fight against the most dangerous dictators.
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At the moment, the absolute danger is called Vladimir Putin.
Unfortunately, many other enemies of democracies are growing stronger around the world. One of them is called Donald Trump. Another is called Xi Jinping.