Seeking answers about war in Ukraine

I agree with various letter writers that the war in Ukraine is filled with tragedy. From Vietnam and forward, our military has failed to wage war as ethically as we might, nor as I wish for. This terrible war threatens the use of nuclear power. It has delivered massive civilian casualties. It threatens global food supplies. It threatens the health of the American economy.

The fact remains that Vladimir Putin is a threat to the freedom, happiness, and wellbeing of Ukrainians and others in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America. His invasion of Donbas is the test of our generation. Putin appears to believe we do not have the willpower to contain his sphere of influence.

As a letter writer, I ask this for the third time: Do my fellow letter writers truly propose to give Putin what he demands in Ukraine? If we sacrifice a fourth of Ukraine, how can we have any confidence that after he “secures” his southern border, at the cost of democratic freedoms for millions of Ukrainians, he will commit no further aggression?

History teaches differently. The ideology of Xi Jinping is the eventual victory of Marxism over democracy and capitalism. At present autocratic leaders in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and other countries hope to expand their spheres of influence. I believe we must continue the policy of containment designed by the Western Democracies at the beginning of the Cold War.

I’m frustrated other letter writers have not addressed my concern. Please respond.

— Charles Copeland, Chico