Every week there is a pro Ukraine demonstration in Stockholm against Russia’s war of aggression. This weekend I attended with my family. My now 9 year old went on stage and recited a Ukrainian poem. Taras Shevchenko, of course. Ukraine’s national poet.
The Ukrainian community in Stockholm is strong. The support in Sweden for Ukraine is strong. Volunteers drive down humanitarian and military aid directly to the front. Swedish volunteers fight in the front line. Official Sweden contributes substantial military and humanitarian aid and has done so for the entire two years of the war. Supported by a large majority in the parliament.
Sweden in NATO
Sweden is officially a member of NATO as of March 7th 2024. Fine speech by Ulf Kristersson, the prime minister of Sweden, and by Joe Biden, the US president. Sweden has long prepared for membership of the world’s strongest defence alliance. Now work continues as a full member. Both Sweden and the 31 other members of NATO will benefit greatly. The best response to a bully is a strong, united response.
It is puzzling that a person who lost the presidential election can veto US aid to Ukraine. Yet the strategic adjustments in the West to the new reality are unstoppable. France, Germany, Poland are stepping up. The Scandinavian countries are stepping up. The UK and the Baltics continue with unwavering support. Putin’s imperial land grab, Putin’s genocide of a democratic people has woken the freedom loving nations of Europe. The wheels are in motion.
Putin's sinking ship
Putin is the captain of a sinking ship. Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure is built on melting permafrost. Its stockpile of Soviet weapons was rusting away in Siberia. Now they are rusting away in Ukraine. Putin failed to lead Russia into the future. What we see is a desperate last gasp to stay relevant before the world moves on from the black gold of the 20th century.
Putin’s Ukraine gambit will fail. Putin will fall. Ukraine and its allies will endure.
Stand with Ukraine
I’m thinking of our friends and family in Ukraine. A former colleague, now a drone operator who gets to see his wife and daughter only now and then. My niece in Kyiv who turned 6 a week ago, growing up with air sirens and to start school after the summer. My wife’s sister and mother living through the war not under occupation but with black outs and sheltering in the basement. War disrupts everything yet life moves on.
How precious life is.
Let's not take peace for granted. Let's stand for humanity working together to overcome our shared challenges. Let's stand with Ukraine. Today, tomorrow, and until victory.
