Taking a Position on Aggression
If ever there is a modern day hero, it is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.??A man who did not seek out a war but, through unique circumstances, war found him; Zelensky is facing an increasingly erratic tyrant who has the word “bully” branded on his heart.
Despite all odds and in a very short time, Zelinsky has proven to be a leader of epic standards. Zelinsky, rather than remaining in his golden office and understanding he is up against one of the world’s most formidable armies, has chosen to don army fatigues and join his army in defense of his people and country. When the West offered a safe haven for him and his family, he responded by saying “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Knowing that he is #1 on Russia’s hitlist and his family a close second, Zelinsky has shown us all the true meaning of courage and leadership. Name another prime minister or president who has demonstrated such incredible mettle in modern times; certainly, I can’t think of any. May G-d protect this great man and his family as well as the rest of Ukraine’s soldiers and citizens.
Over the past days, I have personally struggled greatly with the events in Ukraine and tried to reconcile, like so many others, what we can do as regular citizens to assist Ukraine and defeat the beast.
We are witnessing an egomaniac and his old Russian circle proving their worth to each other and the world. Nationalism is not dead in Russia; while the western media is feeding us the many anti-war demonstrations, in Russia there are just as many, if not more, Russians who support this illegal war.?
If history has taught us anything, it is that doing nothing will only make matters worse in the long term. Putin is a dictator; he uses classic tyrannical tactics to remain in power. However, those that think his moves are “genius” are simply wrong. While the early years of Putin’s presidency experienced growth (largely due to oil), Russia has broadly been in?recession and stagnation?since 2015. This has been?due to sanctions, narrow economic policies, and lack of commercial diversification. Indeed, while on the face of it, the invasion of Ukraine appears politically motivated, given the country’s massive natural resources, it is reasonable to consider that fundamentally this invasion is equally economically ambitious.
Moreover, Putin never imagined that the world would turn against him like they have in recent months and days, nor did he expect the depth of sanctions imposed to date, with more to follow.??The Moscow Times (independent from Russia) reports that the Russian economy will likely crash soon should sanctions expand at the rate promised by the West.?https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/24/russias-economy-on-the-brink-of-crisis-after-ukraine-attack-a76555
None the less, Ukraine was always going to be a flashpoint so long as it was courting NATO. The concept that NATO would sit on the Russian border, and Russia be ok with that, is somewhat na?ve of the West. Just like the US invoked the?Munroe Doctrine?at the time of the Cuban Missile crisis, Russia is responding in the same way. We should accept that Ukraine joining NATO is not a viable scenario for Russia, and while in no way a justification for the outbreak of a bloody war, the West absolutely should have done more to negotiate terms that Russia could live with and save face.?
Military action is simply not an option right now, but should the time come the Russian army, although formidable, is actually less experienced than NATO’s armies, by far. The way to go is the destabilization of Russia internally, unequivocally and through every means possible.?Putin and his oligarch friends have to go!?
In less than 3 days, Ukraine has announced around 198 Ukrainian deaths from Russia’s illegal and murderous invasion, yet surprisingly there are, so far, many more casualties on Russia’s side. Estimates of a staggering 3,500+ deaths and so far 200 POWs; young men and women who did not sign up to be the army of a tyrant, but their lives have either been taken or are now at risk. Children, parents, brothers and sisters, all putting their lives on the line for what? This carnage is the responsibility of Russia. Putin is their representative. At some point, Russia voted him in and now innocent people, on both sides, are dying or becoming injured for life.
On Friday past, my Board of Directors and I made the very hard decision to cancel all our consulting accounts with Russian companies. We will unquestionably lose our good reputation that has taken many years to build. We will lose economically and who knows what else. But we simply cannot sit by and allow anyone in Russia to think that their country’s actions are in anyway acceptable or being ignored. I truly hope others will follow, although that is of course for them to decide.
As a European Jew, what always amazed me is why no one “noticed.”?The world paid a massive price for the blindness of the 1930’s followed by the eventual and predictable war and genocide that followed; and here we are again. To think that Putin would stop at Crimea was foolish at best, and the same now applies to Ukraine at large. This means ultimately NATO states are at risk. Thus, we potentially have a future world war in our midst. A war that can maybe be averted if we collectively act now.
While most of us feel helpless when confronted with geopolitical maneuverings of this scale, there are ways you can help the citizens of Ukraine and help motivate Russian citizens to effect change and peace. To support Ukraine, I have listed below a range of agencies that need financial support.?
Expressing discord with Russia via online platforms is somewhat effective, however the immediate cessation of any business with Russian citizens, whether companies or individuals, would be an valuable first move. If history is anything to go by, over time, through economic hardship, public discourse will elevate to an uncontrollable apex and the present murderous regime begins to collapse.?
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It really is never too late to act, no matter how small it may seem. It is the actions of many that effects change.?
“Indifference makes you an accomplice.”
-???????Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky
Links to help Ukraine:
Donate directly to Ukraine Military
Doctors without Borders:
International Rescue Committee:
Chabad
Razom for Ukraine,?Help for Ukraine, Sunflower of Peace, and Revived Soldiers Ukraine: these four organizations will use donations to fund medical aid for the people of Ukraine, including the purchase of first aid kits, backpacks stuffed with medical supplies, and medical rehabilitation for injured soldiers. (https://www.facebook.com/RazomForUkraine/fundraisers)
The Kyiv Independent: finally, you can help fund English-language journalism in the country by donating to the Kyiv Independent at its Patreon of?GoFundMe accounts. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/kyivindependent-launch)
Committee to Protect Journalists: CPJ is calling for the protection of journalists in Ukraine following the invasion. Donate here:?https://support.cpj.org/site/Donation2?1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400&mfc_pref=T