Kyiv simply can’t afford for the war to become a globally divisive issue—even as Russia works to make it so. To audiences in these countries, Russia portrays its war against Ukraine as a fight with the West, thereby challenging the idea that universal values and rules of law matter. Some hold Ukrainian flags and a giant banner with words in support of Ukraine on it in Portuguese. (The Argentinian Constitution allows its courts, based on universal jurisdiction, to try international crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, irrespective of where they took place.) Talking to the survivors of war crimes left a powerful impression on correspondents from Asia, Latin America, and Africa who came to Ukraine with various interests and priorities.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 03, 2024 17:24 UTC