Authoritarians must learn meaning of sovereignty

A recent letter to the editor encouraged peace talks in Ukraine. I share your wish for peace in Ukraine, but it can only be from a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory — that includes Crimea. Otherwise, Russia and other authoritarian regimes will learn that it’s quite acceptable to invade sovereign countries. Russia would only use such a “peace” to build up its military and weaponry again so they can finish their publicly stated goal of making sure there is no Ukraine — not the country, not the people, not the culture, nor the history.

The threat of nuclear war is a bluff from Putin’s side — it is the only thing he has against a unified Free World.

The rich kids of oligarchs and of Putin himself, live in western capitals, so no chance nukes will fly. And Putin knows very well it would be absolute suicide. But Putin does his best to make people fear this, and he uses his internet troll farms to spread this, and other Russian propaganda, all over social media — greatly (and weirdly) aided by Fox. Find Ukrainians on Youtube and listen to their voices, instead.

Putin’s regime has committed more than 65,000 war crimes in Ukraine — it is traumatizing even to consider writing down what I have heard reported. He commits war crimes against his own soldiers! This is not a person that can or should be negotiated with.

I am against war — I’m a pacifist, and I say we give Ukraine all the weapons they ask for, so they can fight and win this war, on behalf of us and the rest of the Free World, against oppression and genocide.

— Regner Trampedach, Boulder