Letters | Why Ukraine’s Zelensky should not sweat the small stuff with allies

Readers discuss Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts, confusion over Hong Kong’s Covid-19 vaccine requirements, and the potential effects of taxi fare hikes on drivers and passengers

Ukraine war

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 25 May 2022

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To many, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might be 2022’s Man of the Year. Over the past months, he has addressed the parliaments of several countries around the world, often to loud applause.

The national and political leaders who have visited Kyiv and met Zelensky include UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. These visits are expressions of support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia and serve to encourage the Ukrainian people.

However, Zelensky has made some obvious diplomatic errors, especially with countries that support Ukraine. First, his administration rejected German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s offer to visit Ukraine in April for what it saw as his soft stance on Russia in the past. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that this “stands in the way” of him visiting Ukraine himself. The two countries only managed to clear the air this month.

Second, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly refused a request by Ukraine to cancel or bring forward an event in Israel to mark Victory Day; the day commemorating the end of World War II in Europe is marked by Russia on May 9 while the US, UK, France and others celebrate Victory in Europe Day on May 8. Israel holds events on May 9 for immigrants from Russia and former Soviet countries. The request from Ukraine is odd and illogical from a diplomatic point of view.

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UK PM Johnson makes surprise visit to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian leader Zelensky

Third, Zelensky said French President Emmanuel Macron asked Ukraine to make concessions related to its sovereignty to help Russian President Vladimir Putin save face. But the Elysée Palace denied this.

Perhaps Zelensky needs to be more open-minded. Given that Ukraine needs external aid urgently, he shouldn’t offend Ukraine’s allies over relatively trivial matters. While Ukrainian antipathy towards Russia is easy to understand, a wise and visionary leader cannot get carried away by sentiment.

Recall that Otto von Bismarck, who was prime minister of Prussia during the 1866 Austro-Prussian war and later became chancellor of the German Empire, held back from weakening Austria too much after Prussia won the war. As a result, Austria remained neutral during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.

If Zelensky could forgive his allies’ small mistakes, he would gain more support. The conflict against Russia is likely to be long-drawn-out. France and Germany’s aid is indispensable. It’s important for Ukraine to be in a united front with its allies.

Li Yanzhou, Sham Shui Po

Greater clarity needed on teen vaccination

In September 2021, scientific advisers to the Hong Kong government recommended that children aged 12 to 17 would only need one dose of the BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to reduce the chance of heart inflammation. Now we are being told our teenagers need three doses – not even just two – to meet the new requirements of the vaccine pass. Did the heart inflammation problem just vanish?

My 14-year-old was double vaccinated in Australia last September and is now due for her third shot in Hong Kong, but under Australian recommendations she is ineligible for a booster until she turns 16. I am very much against giving her a third dose. I now face the prospect of choosing to risk heart inflammation or not dine out, have her hair cut and so on.

The Hong Kong government needs to drop this requirement for teenagers and focus on third doses for the most vulnerable people who are most at risk of severe illness from Covid-19.

Michelle Whitehead, The Peak

Taxi fare hike heralds many changes

I refer to your editorial “Passengers need fair deal as taxi fares rise” (May 14). There has been speculation about the increase for some time, and it will finally take effect on July 17.

As passengers, we naturally assume that taxi drivers will be the ones to benefit from the move. However, as taxi rental fees are also increasing for some, it seems taxi owners and companies will be the ones to benefit whether the taxis rented out get business or not.

Meanwhile, taxi drivers’ income could suffer when fewer citizens choose this mode of transport, at least in the initial months of the fare hike. Ride-hailing services and vans may become more popular. With the opening of the MTR East Rail line cross-harbour extension, competition for long-distance fares will intensify too.

There might be some improvements in the taxi industry, along with the fare hike. Talks to introduce six-seat taxis are ongoing, and Wi-fi and other hi-tech devices could be installed in cabs. Old taxis, however, might largely remain the same.

To me, the best improvement would be for a tiny minority of taxi drivers to improve their attitude and behaviour. Different factors need to balance each other to make a good, comfortable taxi ride.

Jacqueline Kwan, Mid-Levels

Who weeps for affected taxi passengers?

Your correspondent’s sympathy for self-employed taxi drivers seems terribly misplaced (“Taxi fare increase will help keep pandemic-hit fleet going”, May 22). Some of them can earn as much as HK$40,000 (US$5,100) a month – more than those working at dangerous construction sites.

Rich people drive their own cars, while it is mostly desperate people who take taxis to attend to urgent matters. Increasing fares is meaninglessly pouring resources into icy cold water and chipping away at ordinary people’s convenience.

Edmond Pang, Fanling