Dear Editor,
I stand with individuals who want peace in both the Russian and Ukrainian community, let us remind ourselves that in these two communities there is a loved one somewhere in Ukraine or Russia and this war affects everyone regardless of political, ethnic or economic background.
After reading the online services from the various mainstream media, I made the conscious effort to reach out to the Ukrainian Community of Ivan Franko via email expressing my support of the Ukrainian community against the barbarism of Russian aggression, emanating from President Vladimir Putin who claims his goal is to protect people subjected to bullying and genocide and that he aims for the “demilitarization and de-Nazification” of Ukraine.
According to the Associated Press, Putin has frequently accused Ukraine of being taken over by extremists, ever since its pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in 2014 after months of protests against his rule.
Fact check:
Following the “Euromaiden” protests that led to the subsequent removal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Feb. 22, 2014, and amidst the pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, Russian soldiers without insignias took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within the Ukrainian territory of Crimea.
On March 1, 2014, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation unanimously adopted a resolution to petition Putin to use military force in Ukraine.
Economic sanctions only hurt the ordinary people of Russia. My opinion is for a different approach:
1) Send military aid to Ukraine, with no troops on the ground.
2) Mount international pressure to indict and convict President Putin as a war criminal at The Hague Tribunal, for invading and attacking a sovereign nation.
Simon Leung
RICHMOND
