For me it’s not so much Russia, not the ordinary people of Russia, as it is Vladimir Putin, his government and his armed forces.
The Russians I know are in shock, horrified.
It is absolutely a disgrace. Russia is a huge and powerful country; it doesn’t need Ukraine. But I understand it’s about something different… grabbing back historical territory that has been under Russian control or at least under its umbrella previously. But the tumultuous history of Ukraine reflects a long struggle for independence, which it gained… and to try to take that away by force is horrible.
Would it not have been better for Russia to create ties of friendship and support rather than to loom threateningly in anticipation of aggressive invasion? After all, go back far enough in Russia’s history and you’ll find other tribes who occupied or controlled the various parts of the land… At what point do we stop saying, “We controlled this section of the earth once so it’s forever ours”…?
I am very concerned that all the huffing and puffing won’t stop Russia vanquishing Ukraine. Political and financial sanctions - are they going to cause Putin to so much as pause for thought? Really worrying for so many reasons.
My prayers and thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.
