I know almost nothing about the Ukraine. I’ve read a little that has surfaced during the recent invasion of this country by Russia, but that is about it. Other than some shady Hunter Biden deals with Burisma, I am ignorant of the history, people, politics, or culture of the Ukraine. I can find them on a map, just West of Russia and East of Poland, on the Black Sea. But I am completely ambivalent on the aforementioned invasion, which may make me a bit unique, if not downright cold. Let’s dig.
First, I must separate the country from the people. The people had nothing to do with this invasion, although as in all military matters, they will feel the brunt of such a thing: their lives, their buildings, their economy, along with their former peaceful wellbeing, are all now at risk or destroyed. I feel terrible about the devastation already happening, and that which is sure to come in the very near future. But I am enheartened by the display of resolve of that people. They are the David of the David/Goliath paradigm, yet they battle on for their country. They did not roll over. Their President did not flee the country when the going got rough. Instead, he passed out weapons and ammunition, vowing to repel the invasion. If you cannot respect that grit, we likely have very little common ground between us. But the country itself? While I may celebrate the people, my ignorance feeds my apathy about the Ukraine’s place in world affairs. Maybe increasing my knowledge base about such things would revise my opinion, but until that happens, I know of no distinguishing characteristics about the Ukraine that necessitates its separation from all bordering countries.
What I DO have a sharper opinion about is the US military involvement in these battles, skirmishes, and wars. Other than providing humanitarian aid to those on the battleground, I see no role for the US military there. The Ukraine is not a member of NATO, nor do they want to be. Possibly the inclusion therein may be why Russia felt the need to invade in the first place. Imagine the US response if Mexico or Canada had signed a similar treaty with China and/or Russia—we would be just as overtly concerned over that prospect as having Cuba, a country 80 miles off of Florida, as a Communist stronghold. Read up on the many accounts of the ‘Cuban Missile Crisis’ of 1962. We had no issue with Cuba as a Communist country, but we were quite adamant about preventing the former USSR from staging missiles there. The same dynamic applies here: replace Cuba with the Ukraine, Russia with the US. Maybe I’m overly protective of our military folks, but I don’t see a US strategic interest here, certainly not worthy of spending US resources and soldiers to defend. We are not (yet) Earth’s police force. Granted, we have allies that depend upon us greatly to defend them (see: NATO), but that doesn’t cover the entire planet.
That said, what would happen if the Ukrainian people repelled Russia’s invasion? Holy Cow! That may be severe enough of an embarrassment to remove Vladimir Putin from office, peaceably or otherwise! The protests in the streets of Moscow prove that Putin’s actions do not have 100% of the Russian people’s support. In fact, many see this as much as an unprovoked invasion of the same level as Germany invading Poland in 1939. It is the bully mentality, on an international level. Either way, it is the big dog biting a little one, and the little one seems determined to protect his turf. And if that little dog prevails, much scorn and little respect will ensue for the big dog involved.
I hope upon hope that this destructive invasion ends soon, regardless of the outcome. If the Ukraine becomes part of Russa, or remains independent of them, I’m not sure anyone outside of the Baltic region will notice much difference. OTOH, maybe I’m just not informed enough to grasp the ramifications of such a thing. Comments welcome—I welcome new info to enlighten my ignorance.
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