Putin Chose War. We Remain United with Ukraine.

              Watching the unnecessary destruction of bridges, roads, streets, buildings, etc and the murders of hundreds of innocent people in Ukraine, we have to ask ourselves if there was any evolution in the humankind in the last century. All of us have to become more radicals against the evil that still is trying to remain in the world. All kinds of violences are unnecessary and should be severely punished. We must fight more for human rights, justice and peace in the world, we can't stay indifferent to the suffering caused by those that think they are unaccountable. Another result from this stupid war will be the increase of spending in weapons, something that should not happen. This post is a summary of two articles. The first with the incomplete title above was published at  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/our-strength-is-our-unity-putin-chose-war-we-remain-united-with-ukraine. The second was published at https://cepa.org/the-west-can-do-more-to-help-ukraine/

              This is a dangerous moment for freedom-loving people around the world. By  launching his brutal assault on the people of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has also committed an assault on the principles that uphold global peace and democracy. But the people of Ukraine are resilient and we will continue to support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country. By choosing to pay for a war instead of investing in the needs of Russians, Putin's invasion of Ukraine will be a strategic failure for the Kremlin and ravage the future of the Russia people. The world is taking action to hold Russia accountable. As a result of unprecedented global sanctions coordination, Canada, the U.S., the U.K., the E.U., and Japan have removed have removed Russian banks from the SWIFT system. After Putin began his invasion, the ruble hit its weakest point in history, and the Russia stock market plunged. In response to Putin's war of choice, the vast majority of countries have stood by Ukraine and its people, and countries continue to support them economically, politically and defensively. Measures have been implemented to welcome Ukrainians who have fled the conflict and huge humanitarian aid programs have been launched to reduce the suffering of the displaced. Russia justify its military aggression by falsely claiming the need to stop "genocide" in Ukraine. We saw Russia use these tactics before, when they invaded Ukraine in 2014 and Georgia in 2008. Putin's goal of dividing the international community has failed. In the face one of the most significant challenges to democratic ideals since World War II, we have joined together in solidarity. Putin has failed to undermine our shared belief in the fundamental right of sovereign nations to choose their destiny. Putin's aggression against Ukraine will cost Russia profoundly, both economically and strategically. The Russian people deserve better from their government than the immense cost to their future that this invasion has precipitated. Liberty, democracy, and human dignity are forces far more powerful than fear and oppression. In the contest between democracy and autocracy, between sovereignty and subjugation, make no mistake: Freedom  will prevail.                                                                                                              Germany is increasing its defense spending to over 2% of GDP. All NATO countries should now see the necessity and follow Germany's lead. It seemed from his March 1st speech to the Senate that Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi intends to follow suit. We have also learned that, like in 1939, appeasement and leading from behind does not work and merely whets the agressor's appetite. What we are seeing today is the result of many years of appeasing the megalomaniac Vladimir Putin in Crimea, Donbas, Georgia, Syria, Moldova, and Transnistria. Only resolve and courage are successful in the face of unwarranted aggression. The U.S. and its Western allies should be imposing more sanctions against Russia. It was also encouraging to see the U.S., Canada, E.U., the U.K., and others (now approaching 40 nations) closing their airspace to all Russian flights. More military and humanitarian aid must be delivered to Ukraine immediately. The U.S. did not blink in the face of Russian threats after the World War II and kept Berlin open as a symbol of freedom and democracy. The U.S. and its allies should not blink now and should keep Ukraine and its capital open. Putin threatens the world with weapons of mass destruction if he is not appeased. He has menaced Sweden, Finland, the Baltic states, Moldova, and others. A cogent proactive plan to address this global threat is necessary. Sanctions relief should only be considered after the good and decent people of Russia rise up and remove the crazed criminal dictator. We have already seen protests against Putin in St. Petersburg and other Russia cities. Putin needs to be tried for crimes against humanity.