The article challenges the West's condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine, arguing it's hypocritical given the West's history of altering borders and governments through force or agreements. Hitchens highlights several key examples:
Hitchens contends that these events demonstrate a double standard, where actions deemed acceptable by Western powers are condemned when undertaken by others. He emphasizes the lack of consequences for the West despite its involvement in similar actions, contrasting this with the pressure on Ukraine to accept unfavorable peace deals.
The core argument revolves around the inconsistency of applying international norms. While the West criticizes Russia's actions, its own history reveals a pattern of intervening in other countries' affairs, often resulting in border changes and regime shifts. Hitchens suggests that this hypocrisy undermines the West's moral authority on the issue.
The article implies that a more nuanced understanding of history is needed before judging current events. It questions the legitimacy of the international order, suggesting that power politics and self-interest often outweigh principles of non-intervention and territorial integrity.