Ukraine or Russia

Several people messaged me asking my opinion on the conflict in Ukraine. I lived in Ukraine for some years and watched it gradually switch from being more of a brotherly nation to Russia to what it has become today. You can say anything you like about US/NATO policies, but the fact remains that Ukraine is a sovereign nation and has the right to associate with whomever it wishes.

In my opinion, Ukraine is strongly pro-NATO/EU because every nation in Russia’s sphere of influence does not progress economically, and Putin bullies them to remain his allies or face grave consequences. Compare the former soviet states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania who are now members of NATO & EU with Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova who are not part of it and you will see what I am talking about. It will be difficult for me to imagine a truly democratic nation where people will choose Russia instead of the EU. Pro-Russian nations are usually those ruled by despots who need the military might of Russia to maintain power.

The world watched as Russia invaded Georgia which is another former soviet state in 2008, and Crimea in 2014. Just like he has done in Ukraine, Putin created 2 countries (Abkhazia & South Ossetia) in Georgia and these are still occupied by Russian troops today. This strengthened Ukraine's resolve to move away from Russia since they felt that joining NATO will protect them from such aggression.

I understand Russia's unease with the current situation, but civilized nations don’t invade other nations simply because they refused to be friends with them. Ukraine is not, and has never been a threat to Russia, and Putin knows this.

If you want to know which side to support in this conflict, think of the fact that since Putin took over power, Russia does not make anything useful to humanity in any civilian context. They produce no good cars, but great armored vehicles. No good ship, but warships. No navigation equipment, but have good guided missiles. No good planes but great warplanes. No good software, but have the best hackers. No Revolutionary pharmaceuticals, but produces the deadliest poisons (eg Novichok agent). It is a one stop shop for deadly armaments and occupies a largely empty land almost as large as Africa but still want to conquer Ukraine. That should make you wonder whether this is a man who want peace. Anyone who know all of these, and still support Putin would probably have supported Hitler in 1935.

I stand firmly with the people of Ukraine, and while I hope for a peaceful settlement, I can’t help wishing that Putin will be humbled by the valiant defenders of Ukraine.