Sad State of Affairs

There’s a Ukrainian adage that in its English translation reads:

You can’t show a blind person;

You can’t tell a deaf person;

You can’t convince a dunce.

That in essence characterizes the current White House Administration.

President Trump and his Cabinet have jumped into the deep end of the pool with their half-baked ideas about ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Sadly, the proposals benefit Russia but not Ukraine because so far President Zelenskyy has not been invited to sit at the conference table.

A host of experts have been pointing out to Trump that his views about Russia, Russian aggression and the current Fuhrer are wrong and dangerous. But he stubbornly has not accepted them. He continues to place Russia’s aggression and Ukraine’s defense on an equal plane. Both presidents are equally guilty, he believes. Both require equal global compassion, he adds.

On the other hand, the international community, notably Europe and the former captive nations of Russian subjugation, are justifiably deathly afraid of Moscow and are convinced its tanks and cutthroats will press westwardly if they’re not stopped in Ukraine. This belief has not had the slightest impact on Trump’s policies and behaviors.

Six European countries and two regional agencies issued on February 12 a statement that assesses their point of view about regional security in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The signatories, 

Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the European External Action Service and the European Commission, declared among other points: “We are ready to enhance our support for Ukraine. We commit to its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. We share the goal to keep supporting Ukraine until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is reached. A peace that guarantees the interest of Ukraine and our own.”

The salient thoughts herein are “just, comprehensive and lasting peace” that “guarantees the interest of Ukraine and our own.” These countries understand that a peace that doesn’t safeguard their peace and security along with Ukraine’ is meaningless in the face of never-ending Russian aggression.

The former captive nations of Russian subjugation are also understandably stalwart supporters of Ukraine. They know what it means to be an inmate in the Russian prison of nations so they’re offering it military supplies, even jeeps, to defend itself and all of Europe against Russian invasions. Estonia, a “David” compared to Russia’s “Goliath” rises to the top of the list.

Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, warned in a speech before the country’s parliament on February 11 that Russia remained a serious and a long-term security threat and that both NATO and the European Union needed to shape their policies for containing Russia accordingly.

“It was only recently that many European leaders said they should have listened to the Baltic States when we warned about the growing threat of aggression in the east. Today we say: listen to us now as well. Our freedom is at stake; keeping it requires victory in Ukraine, containing the aggressive Russia for a long time, strengthening our alliances and a more confident Europe.” 

Tsahkna noted in an article in Estonian World that the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, had not changed his goals and still wanted to subjugate all of Ukraine and fundamentally restructure European security. He emphasized that no one wanted peace more than the Ukrainians; however, peace must be just and lasting.

“In light of this, the democratic world must ask itself – will we allow the threats to grow until it is too late, as was done in the 1930s, or will we resolutely take a stand to defend our values,” Tsahkna said. “It was only recently that many European leaders said they should have listened to the Baltic States when we warned about the growing threat of aggression in the east. Today we say: listen to us now as well. Our freedom is at stake; keeping it requires victory in Ukraine, containing the aggressive Russia for a long time, strengthening our alliances and a more confident Europe.” 

The citation about who should have listened to who is quite relevant taking into account that Ukrainian freedom fighters, members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), who emerged after the end of World War Two eight decades ago, warned the United States and the free world that the war is not yet over because Russian imperialism is threatening Europe with death, destruction and captivity.

In a speech by Marta Kos, European Commissioner for enlargement, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas of Estonia at the European Parliament plenary spoke about the three years of Russia’s war of aggression.

“How many times, after the Second World War we said, ‘never again.’ Then, we had a war in the territory of former Yugoslavia.  

“Soon, we will mark three years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  

“President, Honorable Members of the European Parliament, 

“This is a sombre milestone. During these three years, the Ukrainian people have endured unimaginable hardship: families have been torn apart, and many lives have forever changed. 

“Three years of children learning to read in underground schools. Three years of people worrying about their loved ones. Three years of running for shelter almost every night.  

“But through the darkness, the Ukrainian people have shown impressive bravery and resilience. Ukrainians have stood together to defend not only their land, but also their values, their freedom, and their future. A future that they see as a member of the European Union.,” Kallas stated.

The Estonian official went on to say: “Ukraine needs our continued political, economic and military support. Ukraine’s fight is also our fight – for a Europe that values justice over aggression, and unity over division. By supporting Ukraine, we are also safeguarding the very foundations of European peace and security. Together, we must remain resolute…

“The European Union has taken resolute steps to support Ukraine – and our commitment must not waver. Ukraine deserves just peace: we must put Ukraine in a position of strength, especially ahead of potential discussions to end this war of aggression…  

“Ukraine will need strong, credible, long-term security guarantees to deter future attacks…

“And the European Union is preparing further sanction packages to further hamper Russia’s ability to wage this war… 

“At the same time, we will continue supporting Ukraine implement the necessary reforms in their path towards the European Union. This is where they belong…  

“The Ukrainian people are undertaking tremendous efforts under very difficult circumstances, and the European Union should recognise this. This is the merit-based nature of the European Union enlargement policy: we should match their efforts and open the first negotiations cluster – the cluster on fundamentals – as soon as possible this year…  

“Our European message to Ukraine is clear: Ukraine is part of our European family, we will stand with you, and we will bring you in the European Union, where you belong.” 

The statements, comments, pleas and facts are out there so all you have to do, Mr. President, is open eyes, ears and heart and read them and, if you have an ounce of decency, you’ll see the errors of your ways.