Hello, my dear reader
No matter if you are my peer or staff or faculty member. Right now, on the other side of the ocean, an old bald man offers you a choice. This choice is extremely simple and unequivocal. He offers you either to support his victims or to stand by and support his actions. The name of this man is Vladimir Putin and he would be more than happy if you choose the latter option and even might celebrate it in his giant palace, drinking champagne to your name, even if he doesn’t know you.
If you choose to stay still and not take action to support Ukraine – the country, which he invaded on Thursday, he might win this campaign. Furthermore, if he faces no resistance from the West, no resistance to his invasion from the societies of other countries, it would become normal. By “it”, I mean:
- Invading neighboring countries on a completely false pretext. Putin claims that Ukraine is not a state and has no history of statehood. That is not true. Even if we stop considering war to be evil by itself, Ukrainian statehood dates back to the Seventeenth century (whoever is interested, just read about Bogdan Khmelnitskiy and Orlik constitution on Wikipedia). Ukrainian culture is even older. Despite Putin’s claims, the Ukrainian government is not a fascist one. The President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, is of Jewish descent and perfectly speaks Russian. Even mostly Russian-speaking cities of Ukraine are now replete with Ukrainian citizens adamantly willing to fight for the independence of that country. It definitely is not possible in a fascist state.
- Breaking all the rules of war: according to well-approved and acclaimed sources, Putin’s forces are bombing kindergartens, hospitals, and public transportation systems. All of these count as violations of Genevan and other conventions.
- Threatening to use an atomic weapon if needed. If anyone doesn’t understand what might happen if these threats come true, read about Hiroshima and Nagasaki once again. The capabilities of Putin’s arsenal are greater.
- Using chemical weapons against his own citizens. Watch a documentary about Navalnyy if you want more details
- Incredible level of corruption, propaganda, and injustice in courts
Do you want to live in a world where all of this is normal? How would you feel if the American President were to invade Canada at some point “to protect the English-speaking population of British Columbia”? Do you want to learn at some point that he has built himself a palace on the shore of Florida, using the money from your taxes? Do you want to kiss, laugh, watch movies in such a shitty place?
As far as I know you, no, you don’t, and if you don’t you should not be a bystander. Support Ukraine. It is extremely important and not difficult. Imagine, you have some change left after shopping – donate to Ukrainian charity, trust funds and anyhow possible support Ukraine financially. Soldiers, civilians, refugees – all of them need food, clothing, and shelter. Call your congressman. America is so proud of its democracy: please make your representative actually represent you. Ask them to block the accounts of Putin and his loyal generals and ministries, to block any kind of economic flow to Russia. We, Russians, are already tired of Putin, we just need a galvanizing moment to unify and overthrow him. Give us no other choice than to do that.
I understand that the US themselves have made tragic mistakes and carried out invasions, you consider to be unjust. Nevertheless, this is not a moment to reflect. If we stop Putin now, the next leader, whoever he or she or they would be, who would catch an idea of starting a war, would think twice. By supporting Ukraine, you support the future. And only we will decide what kind of future it will be.
P.S. I am Russian and strict sanctions would probably devastate my savings. Nevertheless, I still ask you to make your representatives impose them. Thank you.
Слава Україні!
