Slava Ukraini

🇺🇦 The easiest way for Ukraine to defeat Russia is to join the USA or another NATO country. Ukraine would be protected against missile strikes, Russia would be forced to leave Ukraine, and Ukraine would have the peace and stability required to focus on rebuilding their country and economy. As soon as they feel safe from Russian aggression, they can return to being an independent nation, join the EU, and join NATO. This is the risk-free path. This is also the peaceful path.

Ukraine's victory on the battlefield, however, will destroy Russia's prestige, and in turn Russia's influence in the world, while boosting Ukraine's. That will be a much bigger victory for Ukraine and the rest of the world. Typically this scenario is only available if a country is well-off and has the necessary economic and military strength to defeat an aggressive country. Russia was expecting Ukraine would not, and that it would be an easy win for them. Ukraine is right to take advantage of the West's willingness to fund their defense. But this approach is also a much bigger risk. If Ukraine does not win, Russia's prestige and influence will not be destroyed, and the consequences for Ukraine and the rest of the world will be devastating. So the West must be determined to provide the necessary funding and weapons to Ukraine to ensure that Ukraine wins. We can't be half-hearted about their defense.

Negotiations will not bring peace. There were nearly 8 years of negotiations, but there was no peace throughout that time - it lead to war. First as Henry Kissinger noted, Russia does not compromise. Second, Putin started this war to force Ukraine into giving him what he wants. His goal was to force Ukraine and the West to concede Crimea and as much of Ukrainian territory as possible to Russia. Negotiations will be considered a victory by Russia, and they will only encourage Putin to continue this aggressive behavior. That will also boost Russia's prestige and influence among other aggressive leaders and nations, especially in Africa. This would be bad for those African democracies that are trying to defend themselves against terrorist threats like Ghana. Russia along with Iran are funding those jihadi terrorists, and they are funding the military coups in Africa. Their goal is to install a military dictator that is loyal to Russia in these African countries. If you allow Russia's clout to increase, this cycle of events will continue. There will be many more military coups in Africa. That will be the death of democracy in Africa, and the death of political stability in Africa. Without political stability, Africa will never attract investments from the West. They will be left with predatory loans from China, which are meant to financially destabilize these countries, essentially forcing them into a modern-day slavery. Russia and China are partners in crime. Russia politically destabilizes these African countries, China financially destabilizes them. Xinjiang is the model that Russia and China have planned for these African countries. Sadly, some of the African leaders know this, and they think this is a great plan. There is a lot riding on the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war, it is not only the future of Ukraine, but also the future of Africa.

Only Ukraine can decide how they would like to proceed. If Ukraine remains confidant that they can win on the battlefield, and so do many Western military leaders, then we should continue to support their decision to take this path. Otherwise, we should convince them to take the risk-free path. Negotiations that lead to huge territorial losses for Ukraine are definitely the wrong path. I'm hoping for a Ukrainian victory. The sooner that happens, the better.

Slava Ukraini

xo