Today marks one month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. One month of constant bombing and fighting. Ukraine has been beaten up, but not beaten.
President Biden is in Brussels for a big meeting with European leaders. More sanctions against Russia are expected. Biden is also going to be looking into what else can be done to stop the Russian aggression especially if it tries to go into other countries. Perilous times.
Another top priority… how to respond if Russia uses a chemical or biological weapon. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says, “Any use of chemical weapons would fundamentally change the nature of the conflict. It would be a blatant violation of international law and it will have widespread and severe consequences.”
Also happening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to join the meeting by video conference.
Yesterday, Zelensky called on the world to: “Come to your squares, your streets, make yourselves visible and heard. Say that people matter, freedom matters, peace matters, Ukraine matters .”
Andrew Marr writes an opinion piece in today’s New York Times. “Zelensky doesn’t know the end of his story. Churchill didn’t either.”
When Zelensky addressed the British House of Commons, he used Winston Churchill’s words in a speech from 1940.
“We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight on the hills. We shall never surrender.” Churchill’s words.
Zelensky echoed. “We will not give up, and we will not lose. We will fight till the end, at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.”
I’m pretty certain I admire Winston Churchill more than most historic figures. I read everything I can get my hands on about him. I have even visited his boyhood home. Seen his curls in a frame. Yes, he had hair.
I visited Churchill’s bunker in London. He refused to leave during the war.
If you think about it, Volodymyr Zelensky is a present day Winston Churchill. He’s staying in Ukraine. He has no idea how this will end… for himself, for his country.
Churchill rallied his people. Churchill rallied the world. Zelensky is doing the same. Rallying his people. Rallying the world.
What will happen next? I think these next few days will tell a lot. What will NATO do? What will the U.S. do? What will Putin do?
Whatever happens, it’s been a terrible month.