105-year Path to Independence in 60 Seconds

This weekend the Ukrainian nation observes its 105-year path to independence that unfortunately continues to be challenged by the latter-day global terrorist – russia.
Today, January 22 is recognized as Ukrainian Unity Day. Indeed, the Ukrainian nation from east to west, north to south is u
nited in a single cause – to defeat russia and live freely and securely within its recognized borders, which incidentally have been reduced over the years.
However, allow me to flesh out this illustrious celebration with a 105-year recap of the bloody details and the nation’s eternal dedication to the cause of national liberty and democracy.
In the days leading up to January 22, 1918, after three previous unsuccessful attempts, Ukrainians of all political affiliations comprehended the everlasting danger posed by tsarist and communist russia and gathered in Kyiv to decide their future. Then on that historical day they declared the full independence of the eastern region from russia — red and white.
The circumstances were mirrored in western Ukraine. On November 1, 1918, Ukrainians in Lviv declared independence of the western region from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On January 22, 1919, both independent national entities understood that their self-governing future rested in a united country and thus formed an independent, sovereign, indivisible Ukrainian National Republic from the rivers Sian to the Don.
Through the ensuing decades as has been the Ukrainian nation’s destiny the fight for independence continued.
On March 15, 1939, the Transcarpathian region declared independence after fighting Hitler’s ally the Hungarians – so World War Two really began earlier than September of that year with Ukrainians first striking a blow against the Nazis.
On June 30, 1941, the revolutionary government of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in Lviv declared the restoration of the January 22 proclamation and established an independent temporary seat in western Ukraine pending victory and relocation to Kyiv. This dramatic move angered Berlin and Moscow who fought for its destruction without the Western allies’ comprehension of what was really happening.
After the war, the fight for Ukrainian independence continued in the gulags, academia, the streets, Orange Revolution, Maidan, Revolution of Dignity until August 24, 1991, when the latest independence proclamation was declared in the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament.
Unfortunately, the path to freedom didn’t end with the raising of hands. As Thomas Jefferson famously wrote: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
On February 24, 2022, russia again invaded Ukraine and the bloody war for Ukrainian independence resumed.
For this quest to end, give Ukraine the tanks that its armed forces need to defeat and destroy russia. Truthfully, that is the only possible conclusion that will bring regional and global peace and security.
Otherwise, the Hundred Years’ War will look like a walk in the park.
Glory to the fighters! Glory to the heroes! Glory to Ukraine!