I'm so sorry Darya. The world is a mess right now. People in the US are clueless, as haven't experienced war in our country for 100s of years. If Putin invaded the US, things would be very different. I try to share as many photos and stories of the reality of Ukraine as possible. My mother was in the US Army, and was in London during the blitz, and witnessed survivors coming out of the camps. I grew up listening to her stories of horror. There are people now denying her experience and what she saw with her own eyes. I don't know what to say anymore. It enrages me and makes me very sad, depressed, cynical and hopeless. But there are so many people who are not like that. I also know for a fact that people here don't understand Russian culture or history. Or even the long and complicated history of Ukraine and Russia. So there's that factor too. They really don't get it. I support you and Ukraine, and feel a deep connection even though I've never been to Ukraine, or your Belarus. Stay strong, keep doing your work. We are fighting a great darkness in the world right now, globally, and we cannot give up, ever. 💙🌠🫂🙏🏻
Thank you, Lydia! I can’t agree more that we are fighting a great darkness right now, and it’s spreading all over the world, being fed by money, greed, ignorance, and fear. I also agree that people in the West don’t have an understanding of what’s happening because of the reasons you mentioned. I wish it could change, and people can learn history, develop critical thinking, and true, not fake, empathy. I’m grateful for people like you, who have been so supportive and understanding all this time!
I hate to say that I agree about people thinking that it's Putin only who is responsible for what is happening in Ukraine, but I do agree. That is the same responses I've received. I think westerners just do not "get it." It's unlike anything that they've experienced. I say that as an American too, and I'm not excusing them at all. It took me a while to understand that it's more than just the one evil leader who is responsible. Maybe it's a very western way of thinking.. I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that I'm beyond my boiling point with those types of opinions that you mentioned. You and your husband are probably right that it would take having the experience that Ukrainians are having, in order to understand it. I sure hope it doesn't come to that, though., and I'm sorry that you are having to deal with those types of comments. You have enough to deal with without all that.
Thank you for your support and understanding, Tracy! It means a lot. May I ask what made you change your opinion that it’s not only Putin? Was it something you read, or a conversation with someone, or was it a gradual process over the last two years?
Hi Darya. For me, I think I changed my opinion because I listened to the Ukrainians I knew and I read a lot about the views of other Ukrainians. This made me question my views. I haven't experienced what Ukrainians are experiencing. The people of Ukraine have a long history with Russia. Obviously, you know better than someone who lives far away and never had these experiences or this history. I can ramble on about it for a long time, but it was my curiosity and interest in learning the history. Also, my deep love and respect for Ukrainians made me eager to understand their views. A person shouldn't have to have that level of interest to care about other people and humanity itself. I don't feel like I can adequately put it all into words, but I hope that helped answer your question a little bit.
I agree that in order to sympathize with Ukrainians and see the true colors of Russians, one doesn't have to be an expert on Ukrainian-Russian history but be willing to listen and learn. Thank you so much for sharing!
This Russian Federation is the successor to the Soviet Union who for over a century has been terrorizing both its neighbors and those whom it claimed as citizens. Now, led by Putin, russia and ordinary russians wage aggression and instability across the world from Ukraine to Syria to Israel (via Hamas) to Africa (via paramilitary organizations) to the foundations of Western Democratic Civilization by weaponizing migrants and interfering in elections and promotion of conspiracy theories, etc. By this time, anyone from The West who does not realize that it is ordinary Russian citizens and their myth of Imperial greatness are responsible for the barbarism imposed upon Ukraine and elsewhere needs to wake up. True supporters of Ukraine know this to their core.
It's not just putin, it's the whole system. It's clear to anyone old enough to remember the soviet union. It's always been like this. They choose to do this to Ukrainians instead of sorting their mess at home. No pity for them.
I only pity children in ruzzia, it's not their fault they were born into this sh!thole, but the older they get the more they should understand that with time they will be responsible for their country. They can choose to change ruzzia into something better. Once they're laying in the field in Ukraine… no pity for them.
Thank you for your writing. I am Ukrainian, and living abroad, and feeling everything you are writing about. It is very difficult to live in this ignorance and to have the need to expalain to people what is injustice and face complete misunderstanding...
Their opinion doesn't matter. History bears it out as well. They're willfully ignoring the reality of russia. And I don't have room for them in my life either.
Completely agree with you Darya. And unfortunately, your husband is probably right. Which is a very scary prospect for us Europeans. But so many people don’t want to understand.
russia is the world's biggest death cult. Violence and deprivation is so ingrained in their culture that it will take decades to change, if it's even possible at all (I mean... we're talking about a country where 30% of the population still doesn't have indoor plumbing, more than 30 years after communism ended!)
Not many people in the West seem to understand that putin is the effect, not the cause, of the russian mindset, and the farther away from russia their country is, the smaller the chance is that they'll understand. It's tedious, ungrateful, and frustrating work, but the only thing we can do is to keep - in lack of a better word - educating people. There's loads and loads of videos, photos and intercepted phone calls to show to those who don't believe or understand otherwise.
I agree with you, John. I don’t think that we will see Russia change into a country that strives for democracy and values human life in our lifetime. It would take enormous work from Russians to change their society, which they don’t want to do. The start of this work lies in taking responsibility for their actions or inactions, paying reparations, and genuine repentance for the evil they caused to millions of people. What I see now is that there is not the slightest hint of admitting the responsibility or sincerely feeling sorry. All they do is try to avoid responsibility as much as possible, shift blame to everyone except themselves, play victim, and attack if they don’t get sympathy.
As someone who grew up in Belarus, which borders Russia, and who speaks Russian and sees what Russians write on the internet (in Russian) - I understand that Russia won’t change. What must be changed is the West’s attitude to it.
I'm thankful I find parallels to muscovy in what is within my experience, and that is the traditional African tribal cultures. They have some very similar mechanisms between general society and their leadership. These help me to comprehend the reality of muscovy, even as, after all these years, I still don't quite comprehend the social mechanisms that drive it. But I nevertheless know it's a reality.
I have no words for people unwilling to learn. All I can say is, having lived among people with such a way of thinking, and the fact I still struggle to understand it (I can describe aspects of it quite easily, even), it's no surprise many just simply cannot begin to make head or tail of it - even if they tried.
Well done to you for blocking them all. There just really is no point wasting energy trying to explain.
Sad but true. I agree with you and your husband. I am sorry for the way some other readers have treated you.
In addition to everything you said and others wrote in the comments here, it is also possible that many in the West believe only Putin is to blame because it is too viscerally terrifying to consider the alternative for more than a fraction of a second — that many millions of Russians are also to blame.
One cure for this form of denial is to really care about people — all people everywhere.
Thank you for your support, Bill! I agree with you. This fear and denial of the reality not only kills people in Ukraine but also makes our world further away from peace.
I am honestly gunning for russia to invade Alaska. They'd obviously like to, and it's the one thing that might give the US a jolt - even Trump would have trouble explaining why that was just fine and they should let it happen.
It’s terrifying to think that the U.S. came to the point where so many Americans need an invasion of their country to start valuing freedom and supporting those who fight for it. As someone who lives in the U.S. and calls it a home, it makes me very upset, disappointed, and also angry.
I'm so sorry Darya. The world is a mess right now. People in the US are clueless, as haven't experienced war in our country for 100s of years. If Putin invaded the US, things would be very different. I try to share as many photos and stories of the reality of Ukraine as possible. My mother was in the US Army, and was in London during the blitz, and witnessed survivors coming out of the camps. I grew up listening to her stories of horror. There are people now denying her experience and what she saw with her own eyes. I don't know what to say anymore. It enrages me and makes me very sad, depressed, cynical and hopeless. But there are so many people who are not like that. I also know for a fact that people here don't understand Russian culture or history. Or even the long and complicated history of Ukraine and Russia. So there's that factor too. They really don't get it. I support you and Ukraine, and feel a deep connection even though I've never been to Ukraine, or your Belarus. Stay strong, keep doing your work. We are fighting a great darkness in the world right now, globally, and we cannot give up, ever. 💙🌠🫂🙏🏻
Thank you, Lydia! I can’t agree more that we are fighting a great darkness right now, and it’s spreading all over the world, being fed by money, greed, ignorance, and fear. I also agree that people in the West don’t have an understanding of what’s happening because of the reasons you mentioned. I wish it could change, and people can learn history, develop critical thinking, and true, not fake, empathy. I’m grateful for people like you, who have been so supportive and understanding all this time!
I hate to say that I agree about people thinking that it's Putin only who is responsible for what is happening in Ukraine, but I do agree. That is the same responses I've received. I think westerners just do not "get it." It's unlike anything that they've experienced. I say that as an American too, and I'm not excusing them at all. It took me a while to understand that it's more than just the one evil leader who is responsible. Maybe it's a very western way of thinking.. I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that I'm beyond my boiling point with those types of opinions that you mentioned. You and your husband are probably right that it would take having the experience that Ukrainians are having, in order to understand it. I sure hope it doesn't come to that, though., and I'm sorry that you are having to deal with those types of comments. You have enough to deal with without all that.
Thank you for your support and understanding, Tracy! It means a lot. May I ask what made you change your opinion that it’s not only Putin? Was it something you read, or a conversation with someone, or was it a gradual process over the last two years?
Hi Darya. For me, I think I changed my opinion because I listened to the Ukrainians I knew and I read a lot about the views of other Ukrainians. This made me question my views. I haven't experienced what Ukrainians are experiencing. The people of Ukraine have a long history with Russia. Obviously, you know better than someone who lives far away and never had these experiences or this history. I can ramble on about it for a long time, but it was my curiosity and interest in learning the history. Also, my deep love and respect for Ukrainians made me eager to understand their views. A person shouldn't have to have that level of interest to care about other people and humanity itself. I don't feel like I can adequately put it all into words, but I hope that helped answer your question a little bit.
I agree that in order to sympathize with Ukrainians and see the true colors of Russians, one doesn't have to be an expert on Ukrainian-Russian history but be willing to listen and learn. Thank you so much for sharing!
This Russian Federation is the successor to the Soviet Union who for over a century has been terrorizing both its neighbors and those whom it claimed as citizens. Now, led by Putin, russia and ordinary russians wage aggression and instability across the world from Ukraine to Syria to Israel (via Hamas) to Africa (via paramilitary organizations) to the foundations of Western Democratic Civilization by weaponizing migrants and interfering in elections and promotion of conspiracy theories, etc. By this time, anyone from The West who does not realize that it is ordinary Russian citizens and their myth of Imperial greatness are responsible for the barbarism imposed upon Ukraine and elsewhere needs to wake up. True supporters of Ukraine know this to their core.
I agree with you, Mark. Thank you so much for your support!
Fu(k ruzzia. Forever. Until it disappears.
It's not just putin, it's the whole system. It's clear to anyone old enough to remember the soviet union. It's always been like this. They choose to do this to Ukrainians instead of sorting their mess at home. No pity for them.
I only pity children in ruzzia, it's not their fault they were born into this sh!thole, but the older they get the more they should understand that with time they will be responsible for their country. They can choose to change ruzzia into something better. Once they're laying in the field in Ukraine… no pity for them.
Best regards from Poland.
Слава Україні та її воїнам 🇺🇦
Thank you for your support, Marcin!
Thank you for your writing. I am Ukrainian, and living abroad, and feeling everything you are writing about. It is very difficult to live in this ignorance and to have the need to expalain to people what is injustice and face complete misunderstanding...
I feel you, and I’m so sorry that you have to go through this. I wish people were more understanding and less ignorant.
Their opinion doesn't matter. History bears it out as well. They're willfully ignoring the reality of russia. And I don't have room for them in my life either.
I agree with you
Completely agree with you Darya. And unfortunately, your husband is probably right. Which is a very scary prospect for us Europeans. But so many people don’t want to understand.
Thank you for your support, Marie-Hélène! I agree that it’s a very scary prospect. I hope people will understand it sooner rather than later.
russia is the world's biggest death cult. Violence and deprivation is so ingrained in their culture that it will take decades to change, if it's even possible at all (I mean... we're talking about a country where 30% of the population still doesn't have indoor plumbing, more than 30 years after communism ended!)
Not many people in the West seem to understand that putin is the effect, not the cause, of the russian mindset, and the farther away from russia their country is, the smaller the chance is that they'll understand. It's tedious, ungrateful, and frustrating work, but the only thing we can do is to keep - in lack of a better word - educating people. There's loads and loads of videos, photos and intercepted phone calls to show to those who don't believe or understand otherwise.
Every russian is responsible.
I agree with you, John. I don’t think that we will see Russia change into a country that strives for democracy and values human life in our lifetime. It would take enormous work from Russians to change their society, which they don’t want to do. The start of this work lies in taking responsibility for their actions or inactions, paying reparations, and genuine repentance for the evil they caused to millions of people. What I see now is that there is not the slightest hint of admitting the responsibility or sincerely feeling sorry. All they do is try to avoid responsibility as much as possible, shift blame to everyone except themselves, play victim, and attack if they don’t get sympathy.
As someone who grew up in Belarus, which borders Russia, and who speaks Russian and sees what Russians write on the internet (in Russian) - I understand that Russia won’t change. What must be changed is the West’s attitude to it.
I'm thankful I find parallels to muscovy in what is within my experience, and that is the traditional African tribal cultures. They have some very similar mechanisms between general society and their leadership. These help me to comprehend the reality of muscovy, even as, after all these years, I still don't quite comprehend the social mechanisms that drive it. But I nevertheless know it's a reality.
I have no words for people unwilling to learn. All I can say is, having lived among people with such a way of thinking, and the fact I still struggle to understand it (I can describe aspects of it quite easily, even), it's no surprise many just simply cannot begin to make head or tail of it - even if they tried.
Well done to you for blocking them all. There just really is no point wasting energy trying to explain.
Thank you for your support and understanding, Laurel!
Sad but true. I agree with you and your husband. I am sorry for the way some other readers have treated you.
In addition to everything you said and others wrote in the comments here, it is also possible that many in the West believe only Putin is to blame because it is too viscerally terrifying to consider the alternative for more than a fraction of a second — that many millions of Russians are also to blame.
One cure for this form of denial is to really care about people — all people everywhere.
Love can conquer fear.
Thank you for your support, Bill! I agree with you. This fear and denial of the reality not only kills people in Ukraine but also makes our world further away from peace.
I am honestly gunning for russia to invade Alaska. They'd obviously like to, and it's the one thing that might give the US a jolt - even Trump would have trouble explaining why that was just fine and they should let it happen.
It’s terrifying to think that the U.S. came to the point where so many Americans need an invasion of their country to start valuing freedom and supporting those who fight for it. As someone who lives in the U.S. and calls it a home, it makes me very upset, disappointed, and also angry.