COMMENT | Freedom and democracy - Why we should all care about Ukraine

COMMENT | Freedom is a universal right. Freedom to live in peace and security. Freedom of speech. Freedom to vote and elect our legislative representatives and government. These freedoms are enshrined in the UN Charter to which there are 193 signatories around the world, including all our countries and the 10 members of Asean.

Tragically, these basic freedoms are under threat in Ukraine - a sovereign state and UN member since 1991. It is the second-largest country in Europe (by area).

On Feb 24, President Vladimir Putin of Russia ordered his military to invade Ukraine. This follows Russia’s attempted annexation and illegal occupation in 2014 of the Crimea region within Ukraine, which was condemned by a majority of countries in the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Ukraine has done nothing to provoke these illegal actions by Russia, which are...