Why didn’t the world put a stop to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, was two years since the invasion of Ukraine. It’s a sad day in the history of our world.
I can remember the pictures of the Russians lining their tanks on the border to invade Ukraine.
I can also remember the day the Second World War ended. It was a big celebration, it was the first time I pulled the trigger of a gun, which my grandfather held to let me shoot.
Although it was a celebration it was also a sad time, many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians did not return.
I had two uncles who fought in the war, one didn’t return, what did he give his life for?
Watching the Russians lining up at the border, my thought was, “They are not going to invade because the rest of the world will not allow it.” The Second World War was supposed to be the war to end all wars, never again. NATO was put in place, along with United Nations to make sure.
All these wars are started by bullies or hooligans who are allowed to grow and grow, and history has shown it’s been allowed to happen until they start invading other countries and the world has allowed, stood by, and let it happen. Putin is no different than Hitler who was responsible for my uncle, John Bartlett’s, death.
All the world stood by and watched Putin build up his army and the world leaders did nothing until Putin started destroying the country of Ukraine and killing its people — including its children — because they thought that Putin was bluffing.
Bullies like Putin do not bluff. All the world, if they cared, should have started putting a plan in place to stop Putin before it started. Instead they stood by and did nothing.
After two years of Russian invasion, the Ukraine is struggling to survive, its country blown to bits, a lot of the people killed for no reason only to satisfy Putin’s ego.
We are into another world war. Putin will not stop there — all because the world stood by and let it happen.
I have shed many tears for the people of Ukraine and disgust for the people who could have stopped it. My Uncle John died for nothing.
(Ret.) Capt. Wilfred Bartlett wilfbartlett@hotmail.com Conception Bay South