Eastern Europe—Ukraine and Russia—has long been a battleground of suffering. Its history is written in blood, shaped by conquest, oppression, and betrayal. The horrors of Nazi Germany and Stalin’s regime did not create this cycle of destruction—they merely intensified what was already there. This is a land where war, famine, and political purges have scarred generations, leaving behind a legacy that still fuels today’s conflicts.History, Grievances, and the Present Conflict
Nazi war crimes were horrific, and the Soviet Union suffered 24–27 million deaths in WWII, the highest of any nation. Volodymyr Zelensky’s grandfather, Semyon Zelensky, served as a Soviet colonel, enduring the war’s devastation. Given this history, Russia has long sought security buffers, wary of Western influence.
In 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev received verbal assurances that NATO would not expand “one inch eastward.” No treaty formalized this, and NATO later expanded with U.S. backing, fueling Russia’s grievances. Whether a broken promise or shifting geopolitics, this remains central to today’s tensions.
Ukraine’s Distrust of Russia
Ukraine’s grievances against Russia are deeper. The Holodomor (1932–1933)—a man-made famine under Stalin—killed 3.5 to 7 million Ukrainians. Stalin’s policies stripped Ukraine of its grain and sealed its borders, leaving entire villages to starve. Many recognize this as genocide.
Soviet repression extended beyond famine:
- The Great Purge (1936–1938): Thousands of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders were executed or sent to the Gulag.
- Mass Deportations (1940s): Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were displaced, replaced by ethnic Russians.
- Cultural Suppression: The Ukrainian language was restricted in schools, government, and public life.
These efforts sought to erase Ukraine as a distinct nation. The scars remain.
Crimea, Donetsk, and Soviet-Era Divisions
- Crimea and Eastern Ukraine (Donetsk region) have long been culturally tied to Russia, but this wasn’t organic—it was engineered. Stalin’s forced resettlements altered demographics, ensuring Russian influence. While some in these regions lean toward Moscow, most Ukrainians have consistently rejected Russian control.
- Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the war in Eastern Ukraine aren’t acts of protection but continuations of Soviet-style control.
Corruption and Accountability in Ukraine
Ukraine’s sovereignty battle is complicated by corruption. Reports of $50 billion in unaccounted-for U.S. aid raise questions. Zelensky’s wartime leadership is widely praised, but scrutiny remains essential.
Supporting Ukraine’s defense should not mean ignoring accountability. Aid and oversight must go hand in hand. As history shows, unchecked power demands scrutiny—whether in Moscow, Kyiv, or Washington.
After four years of Biden’s presidency, the only constants are death and man’s inhumanity. Yet now, with Trump back in the conversation, NATO nations are finally discussing truces and resolutions—a shift few expected. This is especially striking given that an earlier peace proposal, spearheaded by Boris Johnson, never took flight—reportedly shut down at Biden’s direction.
Trump is trying to end this war so that we may deal with China. I hope he will succeed. But no one will be pleased until the other side is soundly defeated, and that is a lose-lose ending.
Look up the “Overton Window” for a little perspective on the significance of changing the debate to another set of options. Zelinsky is just too stupid to see it.