I Don’t Think Symbolism Will Be Enough for Ukraine in the Long Run

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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.

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Is Ukraine Only the First Part of Putin’s Plan?

As Putin commenced the Russian invasion of Ukraine the world was wondering why? He says it is to assure the security of Russia and to prevent the alliance of Ukraine with NATO. But we all know that Putin is not noted for his truthfulness. So what are the real reasons for Putin’s invasion? I have my own thoughts on the Russian dictator’s behavior. Remember the ancient phrase, attributed I believe, to Julius Caesar, “divide and conquer”? I believe this may be part of Putin’s long-range plan.

Putin rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel in the KGB, during the time of the Cold War and the Soviet Union’s stranglehold over those countries of eastern Europe that were swallowed into the Soviet Bloc. The KGB was notorious for its savage and brutal behavior towards anyone opposed to the Communist party’s rule, undoubtedly something Putin misses after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Since Putin entered politics he has held the positions of Prime Minister and now President, an office he can hold for life, after he maneuvered legislation to extend the numbers of times he can run for office. Amazingly throughout his political career, his opponents have somehow managed to show up dead, a result of poisoning or “suicide”. Dissent of any kind is not allowed.

One barrier to Putin’s dream of rebuilding the Soviet empire, with him at the helm, has been NATO. He is fearful that former Soviet bloc countries, like Ukraine may adopt a democratic form of government and join NATO. Ukraine has already formed a democracy but has not joined Nato. And this is Putin’s greatest fear. For Putin to make his dream become a reality, he must weaken NATO and divide the electorates of Western Europe and the United States.

He has already meddled in elections in Europe and also the United States, where he most likely installed Trump as his puppet in the 2016 election, using massive misinformation campaigns on Facebook and other social media. After being elected Trump denigrated NATO and our European allies and fought to get rid of sanctions placed on Russia for their annexation of Crimea in 2014. Trump catered to Putin and defended his every move to destabilize the European continent. The Republican Party, during and after the Trump administration, was constantly in march step behind Putin loving Trump. Luckily in the 2020 election, the American people overwhelmingly defeated Trump, despite Russia’s efforts to interfere once again. But thanks to Trump and his sycophants in the Republican Party America is sorely divided. Even as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, Republicans, Fox News, and of course Trump steadfastly support Putin, over the United States.

With Putin believing that NATO and the resolve of the European alliance were weakened, thanks to the Trump presidency and the continued Republican attack on our democracy, he ascertained that this was the right time to attack Ukraine. Luckily NATO and the European allies have so far stood together in defiance of Russian aggression. Unlike Trump, Biden has met Putin with strong condemnation and sanctions designed to hurt Putin and his team of corrupt oligarchs. Even with Republican inaction and lack of support for America during these dangerous times, Putin may realize that he has underestimated Biden, America, and Europe.

If nothing is done to confront and punish Putin there is nothing in his way to re-annex all of the former countries of the Soviet Union, regardless of their independence and democratically elected governments. What is very scary is that Putin, according to the Mirror, said “the ‘consequences” of any attempt to strike back following the country’s invasion of Ukraine would provoke a response ‘never seen in history.” Obviously, a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons.

If he is successful in taking over Ukraine, then China will be emboldened to invade Taiwan. And don’t forget Alaska was once a part of Russia! We quite possibly are on the brink of WWIII or even worldwide nuclear annihilation. This is no time for partisan politics fueled by a narcissistic, pathological liar and the anti-democratic grifters who have formed a pathetic cult worshipping his every non-sensical babblings. These are serious and dangerous times and we must return to the shared democratic values we have always been known for.

We must stand by Ukraine.