A Year of Resistance to Russian Aggression

Ukraine, backed by the United States and its many allies around the world, has been resisting aggression by the Russian Federation for over a year, despite early expectations that the Russians would quickly overrun the former Soviet Republic, and replace its government with one subservient to the Kremlin. Russia invaded Ukraine February 24, 2020. Ukraine’s great leadership; the Ukrainian people’s unity and determination; Western arms, materiel, training and intelligence; and tough international sanctions on Russia have thwarted thus far the dream of ex-Soviet intelligence officer Vladimir Putin, the Russian tyrant, of restoring the Soviet Union. Putin’s aggression, which has earned widespread international condemnation, has exposed him as an imperialist, diplomatically isolated Russia (except among the Rogue States), damaged the Russian economy and military, and, contrary to “the Czar’s” goals, united Eastern and Western Europe and the European Union, and strengthened the EU, the Atlantic alliance and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. One particular way it has weakened Russia and strengthened Europe has been by Europeans and others weaning themselves from Russian energy, which the Kremlin has used as a tool for bullying and as a source of revenue for its military. Putin is putting his hope in the usual failure in the West to remain determined and to endure long-term sacrifices, which are only of treasure and from the economic effects of inflation from higher energy prices. The principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are at stake, which were supposed to have been safeguarded internationally since the Second World War, which happened after the previously unchecked aggression of the Axis Powers. The U.S. and its allies must remain steadfast in upholding these principles and in opposing aggression, and remain unwilling to trade any land stolen from Ukraine by Russia for an unjust peace.