All of us should stand with Ukraine

For almost a year Vladimir Putin has waged an unprovoked war against Ukraine, killing innocent civilians.

He has bombed residences, hospitals, schools, playgrounds — none of which are strategic military targets. He has destroyed much of the infrastructure, leaving nothing to return to when it ends. He threatens to use nuclear weapons. Women are raped, men are tied up and murdered, and children lay dead in the streets.

We all see it. Perhaps there are the usual deniers who claim it’s not really happening, but it is.

At the beginning of this war two things were decided: Since Ukraine is not part of NATO, we will sit back and watch, only sending weapons and giving strategic advice. And the death and destruction should only take place inside Ukraine.

Recently, the Ukrainians bombed two military facilities inside Russia. It’s about time. Why should the people of Russia sit back and either condone or deny this war? They have lost thousands of troops but deny the numbers.

Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes and country or live in bombed-out buildings, foraging for food, with no electricity or heat with winter coming. The only hardship to Russians is not being able to get a Big Mac.

They have been brainwashed into believing the war is justified. Every time Putin suffers a humiliating defeat, he doubles down.

This war has to end. The entire world is suffering with high fuel prices, food shortages and other threats to our way of life because of one deranged, power-hungry man. Unfortunately, we have a right wing in this country that disagrees.

Republicans in the House threaten to stop aid to the brave Ukrainians who fight to push back this threatened oppression. They seek to destroy democracy here and around the world. We are a powerful nation. There must be something more we can do to cut off the head of the monster.

We should stand with Ukraine, not with Putin, and anyone who doesn’t agree should go live in Russia.

Francine Michaud, Windsor Locks