The Russian Military Offensive in the Ukraine is a result of the sharpening inter-imperialist contradictions in the world. This conflict is taking place because the imperialist system is stretched, and it is an inevitable reality that sharpening imperialist contradictions lead to war. On the one side of this conflict is NATO led by US and British Imperialism, facing off against Russia and Chinese Social Imperialism. Neither side should be supported by the Irish Working Class. The inter-imperialist contradiction is expressed in the struggle between the imperialist powers for the partition and repartition of the colonies and semi-colonies, the very reason why they are fighting for world hegemony; they are currently preparing for a third world war, which will take place when they are in a position to do so. The conflict in the Ukraine demonstrates that one of the key contradictions in the world today is between the superpowers and imperialist powers for dominance.
Anti Imperialist Action Ireland assert that the current situation in Ukraine must be seen as a part of that inter-imperialist conflict and the march to a third world war. The regime in the Ukraine is a puppet of western imperialism. It came to power in a fascist coup and has maintained its power through the use of NATO arms and through battalions of neo-nazi shock troops used to impose their rule for 8 years. The fascist coup was met with resistance from the Ukrainian people in the form of uprisings, including in Kiev, which were suppressed with the aid of NATO, and with the declaration of two independent republics in the Donbas, who through 8 years of war have demonstrated that they have a right to self determination. At this time Anti Imperialist Action Ireland remembers the 46 martyrs of the Odessa Massacre which took place on May 2, 2014, Trade Unionists and Anti Fascists who gave their lives fighting against the stormtroopers of the Fascists. Ukraine is entitled to self-determination free from the interference of the fascists and imperialists who seek to oppress Ukraine to serve their own interests. Neither NATO or Russia has the interests of the Ukrainian people at heart and there is no legitimate role for either bloc in the Ukraine. We state clearly that neither Russia or NATO should be in the Ukraine.
NATO, the leading imperialist aggressor in the world has had a decades long policy of increasing its influence in Eastern Europe, surrounding the territory of the Russian Federation and pushing the militarisation of Eastern Europe. In recent years US and British troops have provided training for Ukrainian fascist battalions and have provided funding, arms and munitions, and strategic direction to the Kiev regime in its war against the Separatist Republics in the Donbas. Such a situation was always going to lead to an inter-imperialist war such as the one we are witnessing today. The only true method to prevent inter-imperialist war is to fight for the defeat of Imperialism around the world.
As Socialist Republicans, Anti Imperialist Action is opposed to imperialist war. Our allegiance is to the working class and to the cause of world proletarian revolution. The Irish People want no part in an imperialist war, and should take no side in the inter-imperialist conflict. The correct line for revolutionaries in Ireland is to oppose imperialism by attempting to defeat it on our own shores through addressing the primary contradiction in Ireland, which remains the National Liberation struggle.
Anti Imperialist Action has noted with growing concern the role of the Free State in the NATO propaganda machine in relation to the sharpening inter-imperialist conflict. NATO, which is led by US and British Imperialism is an enemy of the Irish People. Britain, a leading NATO member maintains the forced partition and occupation of our country, dividing Ireland as a colony and a semi-colony. The US maintains an ongoing occupation of Shannon Airport using it as a tactical operations base for its wars. Anti Imperialist Action is concerned that the current Free State propaganda offensive is designed to soften the public attitude to NATO and that a move is on the cards for the Free State Garrison Class to propose formal involvement in NATO. This must be opposed at all costs. The Free State is not neutral, it is completely subservient to the interests of British, North American and European Imperialism. Free State involvement in NATO would be major attack on the Irish Working Class, on the oppressed peoples of the world and on the struggle to defeat imperialism in Ireland.
The Irish People have always been Anti Imperialist. Now is not the time to drop that long held principle by being brainwashed by NATO Propaganda. We must oppose all forms of Imperialism whether it is US, British or Russian. The position of the Irish Working Class to inter-imperialist war should remain the same as that as expressed by Commandant General James Connolly of the Irish Citizen Army, on the eve of the outbreak of World War One: ‘If you are itching for a rifle, itching to fight, have a country of your own; better to fight for our own country than for the robber empire. If ever you shoulder a rifle, let it be for Ireland. Conscription or no conscription, they will never get me or mine. You have been told you are not strong, that you have no rifles. Revolutions do not start with rifles; start first and get your rifles after. Our curse is our belief in our weakness. We are not weak, we are strong. Make up your mind to strike before your opportunity goes.’
Forward to the defeat of Imperialism and All Paper Tigers!