It’s utterly amazing how the world has united with Ukraine against the Russian invasion. I don’t think I have ever seen this amount of support from NATO, the United Nations, and people from all over the world in response to the illegal actions of a world power. The UN voted 141 to 5 in favor of condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia, of course, joined the other 4 autocratic regimes in voting against the resolution to condemn,

People in every country of the world, including Russia, have been demonstrating in huge numbers, against Russian aggression. The United States, Europe, Japan, and the West have levied economically crippling sanctions against Russia, including against Putin, himself. Many countries have forbidden Russian airlines from their air spaces, as well as denying entrance of Russian ships to their ports. The West has also frozen the assets of Russia and its corrupt oligarchs.

Ukrainians have shown the utmost courage and resolve in defending their fledgling democracy against the overwhelming power of Russia. I cannot remember such bravery in defense of one’s country in my lifetime. The last time the world had seen this courage was in defiance of Adolf Hitler. As the Ukrainians continue their resistance, Putin has intensified his attacks on the people of Ukraine, targeting civilian targets, including apartment buildings, hospitals, and even schools.

I believe we must be reminded that this has nothing to do with the Russian people. This war was started by Putin for his own personal reasons. Unfortunately all of the sanctions, won’t hurt Putin and his gang of oligarchs, but all of the Russian people. I am sure that Putin, who could possibly be the richest man in the world, has stashed away hundreds of billions of dollars, knowing that sanctions were inevitable. He does not care about how much the Russian people will suffer, or anyone else for that matter. The more sanctions that are issued the more Putin revs up his war crimes!

The West has increased the number of military arms and hardware, including stinger missiles, tanks, and aircraft, but it takes time to train the Ukrainian military in their use. And that 14-mile Russian convoy is on the outskirts of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, waiting to capture the city. The Ukrainians have managed to stall the Russian incursion into their country and capital, but sadly the worse of Russian atrocities is yet to come. How long can Ukraine put up the good fight?

This situation reminds me of a high school football game, where the home team bleachers are packed with staunch eager supporters rooting on their team against the perennial winner big-city powerhouse team. A tremendous amount of spirit, but outnumbered in strength. The hometown football team needs a miracle. And it seems that is exactly what Ukraine needs.

How will this war end? Nobody knows. There could be negotiations to call a cease-fire which could temporarily stop the killing of civilians, but this would not end the war. Putin is not the type of person to give up and retreat, ending his war. He more likely will intensify his murderous attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine and some of her allies are calling for the West to initiate a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but this would certainly lead to confrontation with Russian aircraft, which would in turn would lead to Russian attacks on the West. Military intervention would help stop the Russian advance, but would lead to disaster. I have no doubt that Putin would use nuclear weapons, either to complete his mission, or in retaliation for Western involvement in his plans.

Putin will never win the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian people, when or if he does take Ukraine. He will have a protracted war that could eventually take him down, but it will take a very long time. What is best for Ukraine, Russia and the rest of the world is for the people of Russia to force regime change in Russia. Putin’s own people must take him down. As the number of deaths steadily increases for both Ukraine and Russia, this becomes the most sensible option for them and the world.