Ukraine celebrated their Independence Day yesterday, on 25 August 2022. The reason why this is significant is the fact that Ukraine is still at war! Yes, after more than 6 months after the Russian invasion, the Russians are still attacking them regularly. This includes attacks at civilian institutions such as schools and hospitals as well as civilian homes.
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Russians killed 22 civilians in a strike on a train station that was unnecessary and unprovoked.
Just let me be clear: I do NOT believe for a moment that all Russians think alike or that they all support the war. The situation is never that easy and generalizations should never be made. I firmly put the blame on Putin and his political machinery who are continuously misinforming the Russian population with propaganda to support their efforts.
What does that tell you about this war?
In my opinion, the war is an unnecessary provocation by an individual who appears to want to show strength in and an outdated toxic masculinity manner. A frail ego who can’t turn around his own country into a stable and productive society tries to drag down a more successful yet smaller nation to their own level.
Except for other toxic masculinity strongmen and fascists, most people and nations are against the terror being unleashed on Ukraine.
I agree that Ukraine is not a perfect country and they have their own issues – just like any other country on this beautiful planet. At least they were trying to make life better for their people. It’s a hard task this.
How do you even begin to progress a country into a better future if the country was torn apart by war and attacks over and over again?
Seriously, think about it: what would YOU personally do?
… and then, just as you thought it would start getting better, Trump blackmails you and withholds aid. You overcome that hurdle, move on and it’s COVID. You deal with the pandemic and just as the pandemic seems to ease, Ukraine finds itself at war. Tough times in Ukraine. Still, they celebrated Independence Day and erected flags even in Russia occupied areas. Good on them!
So, what can we do given most of us are not in Ukraine ourselves?
Yes, you guessed it. You can donate to charitable organizations who support Ukraine and Ukrainians during and after the war effort.
Even more importantly and yes, you heard me say this before: vote for better leadership in your own country so your own country won’t slip into dictatorship. By ensuring a peaceful, democratic, progressive mindset in the country you live in, you’ll help the whole world moving to a better future together.
Now go and vote! Actively participate in your own countries future!