Dear CCI Friends,

February 16th I returned to the U.S. from my third trip to Russia in the past six months. I learned later this was the first day of Russia’s movement toward Ukraine.

During my travels I was talking with and emailing Russians in different cities about their sense of where Russia was going and what they expected to happen. VIP Russians scoffed at my concerns about a war. Some young people were against Putin’s long tenure, some not; others felt he’s still in his prime and no one else is as qualified for the position. Rotary friends in Russia have been quite supportive of Putin’s handling of the country’s issues. Of course no Russian Rotarian supports war, due to their devastating history during WWII.

However, the potential for Ukraine to join NATO is unacceptable for Russians. If so, NATO could fire a nuclear missile and hit Moscow in 4 to 10 minutes. Their early warning system couldn’t neutralize and return a strike. Ukraine and Russia share a 1,200 mile land border, and in addition Ukraine has 199 miles of sea border. We would never allow a nuclear nation to be on our borders, unless we controlled the use of their weapons. Washington and NATO leaders understand Russia’s concerns precisely––yet they have been unwilling to sign treaties saying Ukraine will not become a NATO country.

I did not expect Russia would invade but apparently the United States, NATO and Ukraine were preparing for the war that is now happening.  Meanwhile millions of Ukrainians are fleeing their cities and millions more remain sheltering in their homes hoping this horrible ordeal will end. Those of us in the West with friends in both countries can only watch helplessly as this catastrophe unfolds.  The media barrage, unlike anything we have ever seen in relation to other US wars, shows us the one certainty of war:  innocent civilians are the victims who pay the price.

[Continue Reading]