The truth about Russia, Ukraine

In a recent letter, the question was posed, “where is the public outcry” concerning the U.S. “fanning the flames of war with Russia over Ukraine” and stating that NATO and the U.S. military are “massive killing machines” threatening Russia.

At no time in its history has Ukraine ever attacked or invaded Russia. NATO and the

U.S. have never attacked Russia and have never stated such intent. In stark contrast, Russia violated the terms of the Budapest Agreement by invading and annexing Crimea, the peninsula in southern Ukraine. Russia also invaded a portion of eastern Ukraine, where over the course of the last eight years, some 14,000 Ukrainian lives have been lost. At no time has Russia demonstrated a willingness to respect Ukraine as a legitimate independent nation. For months, Vladimir Putin has accumulated 150,000 soldiers, artillery, weapons, field hospitals, pontoon bridges, etc. on Ukraine’s borders.

Ukraine is a nation with its own language, rich history and culture that was at one time a republic of the Soviet Union. As a result of its Soviet past, it inherited sizable nuclear weaponry, second only to the U.S. and Russia. Ukraine voluntarily surrendered these weapons as part of the 1995 Budapest Agreement Memorandum of Security Assurance, in return for guarantees from Russia, the U.S. and UK to uphold its independence and territorial integrity. In so doing, Ukraine demonstrated its willingness and dedication toward being a peaceful nation.

Putin’s assertion that Russia feels threatened by Ukraine and that he is forced to protect Russian borders is ridiculous! Fortunately, the U.S. and other Western nations recognize the absurdity of this fabrication and have responded in the only way Vladimir Putin understands, by providing clear evidence of forceful support for Ukraine.

Thank God that we in Connecticut have Christopher Murphy and Richard Blumenthal as our insightful, dedicated and responsive legislators, as well as President Biden, who does not become naively enraptured by the posturing and bluster of demagogues of Putin’s ilk. Thankfully, we have leaders who recognize and respond to agitators who threaten legitimate nations and thereby destabilize world peace.

Daria Juergensen

Cheshire