I have listened closely to those who have debated one side or the other concerning the role the West should play in Ukraine’s struggle for survival. Vladimir Putin’s war crime-laced naked aggression against Ukraine is nauseating. One need only see the pictures that are now becoming available in the news to see what lengths Russian henchmen under Putin’s direction will go to pursue war. They are barbaric. Sadly, in this time I fear no one will be held accountable for the murders, the mass graves, the massacres that we now can confirm have taken place. It’s cruelly ironic that Putin accused the Ukrainians of Nazism, an absurdity when you consider Ukraine’s brave President is a Jew. It is Russia that is acting out the role of stormtroopers executing people whose hands were tied behind their backs and left in the streets to be chewed upon by stray dogs. Yes, it’s sickening.
Americans should be sickened. We have not done all we could to stop this. And stop it we must. To be sure U.S. arms are flowing to Ukraine now. That’s good. Ukrainians are willing to die to defend their country. But the West should do more. We have balked over sending Polish MIG-29 attack aircraft to Ukrainian pilots who know how to fly them and are willing to risk their lives to destroy their Russian enemies. We have engaged in a feeble kabuki dance over what constitutes “offensive” and “defensive” weapons. Imagine for a moment that you are fighting for your life in Ukraine as an infantryman. You initiate an ambush to destroy a Russian patrol of your village. Is your rifle an “offensive” or “defensive” weapon? You can see the point. Weapons are used for both offensive and defensive tactics when you are unambiguously defending your country against an unprovoked aggressor. The entire worrisome discussion of not escalating the war by providing “offensive” weapons is a contrivance to avoid doing what must be done if Ukraine is to win this war.
Moreover, the U.S. administration seems almost tongue-tied when it comes to even saying the words “win” or “defeat Russia,” when speaking of Ukraine’s struggle for survival. Former U.S. special representative for Ukraine and onetime ambassador to NATO, Ambassador Kurt Volker has said it best.
“I have yet to hear anybody in the U.S. or anywhere in Europe use those words, ‘Defeat Russia’…No one’s talking about defeating Russia. No one’s talking about victory.”
It seems as if the U.S. is more inclined to faint praise for Ukraine than clearly stating that Russia must be defeated, a result that must be articulated. It’s the same sort of gormless hesitancy used to justify not sending MIG-29’s to Ukraine because they are “offensive” weapons. Is it possible to be any more absurd at a time when Ukraine needs heavy weapons and bold allies willing to speak clearly? Try this. “We’re helping Ukraine in every way we can. And if you don’t like that, Mr. Putin, it’s too bad. So, if you’re looking for a fight, you murderer, you’ve come to the right place.”
For those petrified of Mr. Putin’s nuclear brinkmanship, don’t worry. The current U.S. Administration will not say those words, but they should convey that meaning. Unfortunately, U.S. leaders are taking counsel of their own fears. In doing so, they are providing Putin with the flexibility to continue this war on his terms, even as his forces are being severely challenged on the battlefield by courageous Ukrainians.
Why can’t we see what victory looks like? Why can’t we throw our heart and soul into the Ukrainian fight short of putting our own boots on the ground? Has Ukraine not demonstrated enough willingness to fight to merit from the vocal cords of the West a clear declaration that Russia must be defeated and Ukraine must win?” Our rhetorical cowardice is on full display, even as we tiptoe our support in the forms of weapons and monetary aid. More is required.
The West must look Putin directly in the eyes and say to him that Russia must leave Ukraine and restore its territorial integrity as it existed in 2014 when Putin first invaded and seized the Crimea in violation of all international law. We did nothing about that then. We didn’t want to make Putin mad. We still seem paralyzed by fear that we might make him angry, if we stand up for a just end, namely his defeat and Ukraine’s victory. It’s all too shameful to behold.
Give Ukraine whatever they need. We are in a unique place to help them fight for freedom. They can win. Why? The Roman poet Virgil put it best in his Aeneid. “Possunt quia posse videntur,” translated “they can because they think they can.”
And we can help them because we know we can.
Categories: CBW
0 Comments