Indvsiatvs

There is no neutrality in the face of evil. The russian war and genocide against Ukrainians have changed me. The russians killed three of my friends; they have beheaded, castrated, tortured, and raped thousands of my countrymen; they have destroyed the livelihood of millions. I used to be much more tolerant and accepting of different points of view. But now, my vision is more black and white. The war became personal. The pain became personal. When your family is bombed every night for four years, it is personal. I think everyone of us has lost someone, either on the battlefield or when rockets or Iranian drones bombed civilian buildings and infrastructure. Every day and night, you hear explosions in the sky. You start your day by reading reports about dozens of people hospitalized or dead because russians hit another civilian building. And that might be the building where your loved ones or friends live. So, when I meet a person who claims to be neutral regarding the russian war and genocide against Ukrainian people, I hold them responsible for the atrocities committed by russians. There cannot be neutrality in the face of evil. A Ukrainian is judged because he or she didn’t shake the hand of a russian athlete, and some people dare to cast a judgment? How morally bankrupt do you have to be to judge a victim who doesn’t want to shake hands with the aggressor? Oh, but maybe these athletes don’t support their governments. Well, if they don’t support their governments, then speak up! Put on a shirt condemning the actions of their government. But no, they are silent. Morally bankrupt. Oh, but their government would put them in prison for their position. Give me a break! We, Ukrainians, at the cost of many lives, have overthrown several political regimes that wanted to become dictatorships. We stood up. We are free people! We paid the price and will continue to pay the price. Because freedom is not free. It comes at a price. For us Ukrainians, the price is especially high. But we are willing to pay it. Because it is better to die fighting for freedom than to live as a slave. If you choose to remain neutral and silent, it’s your choice. But that choice defines who you are. You are a coward, a silent supporter, and history will judge you as such. To end, I want to quote some people who understood very well that there is no neutrality in the face of evil. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. To not speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." Elie Wiesel: "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Dante Alighieri (paraphrased): "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality."

I remember this disgusting video of Vivek Ramaswamy pledging in 2023 that he would stop all support for Ukraine if he were elected president of the United States. He constantly insulted the Ukrainian government, calling its leaders “warlords.” He said that “Ukraine versus Russia is not a battle between good versus evil.” And he said that “Ukraine will not be admitted to NATO – not now, not ever.” Let me use Ramaswamy’s own language to send him a message: Dear “warlord” Vivek, you have lost miserably in every election you have run in, despite spending tens of millions of dollars. The reason is that people don’t like you. They know that when you enter an election, it automatically becomes “a battle between good and evil” - and you are not on the good side. I really hope that you will never be an elected official in the United States – “not now, not ever.”

When I looked at this photo, I cried. Today, russians killed this baby. I have a one-year-old daughter. And russia has killed hundreds of children like this. Yes, russia is a terrorist state. But now, I want all Trump supporters to understand that they share responsibility for what has happened to this child and what is happening in Ukraine. The US Congress has approved funds and Patriot missiles for Ukraine, but Trump stopped them. Also, the United States once again didn't warn Ukraine about the russian attack. Not only have Trump and his supporters stopped helping Ukraine, but they have also sided with russia. The diesel deal was just the beginning. Now, the Trump administration is preparing to further ease sanctions against russia by lifting restrictions on russian oil tankers, gas, and certain companies and individuals. Also, Trump is exploring ways to take control of frozen russian assets. These assets should be used to compensate Ukraine for the destruction caused by russian aggression, but Trump wants to give them back to russia. Neither history nor humanity will be kind to Trump and his supporters. They will be remembered as the enablers of russian genocide against the Ukrainian people.

I can't get this image out of my head. I can't stop thinking about my one year-old daughter. I can't stop thinking about her mother getting her ready for a walk. A beautiful little outfit. Brand-new sneakers. A mother dressing her baby girl, just like millions of mothers do every day. Just like my wife dresses our little angel. Could she have ever imagined that this would be the last time? That in just a few moments, both of their lives would be taken away? Her name was Angelina. She was just over one year old. And russians killed her. Look at her tiny scratched hands. Her wounded little leg. A baby who should have been playing, laughing, and learning to walk. I wonder whether the russian drone operator who killed her will ever see this photograph. Will he see the stroller? The tiny sneakers? The little girl whose life he took? And if he does, what will he feel? Will he feel anything at all? I wonder whether Trump and supporters will see this photo. Will they try to justify his support of russia? Will they go to their churches and pray for God to bless President Trump so he could continue supporting russia? So, he would stop helping Ukraine? Or will they just ignore and hope that their diesel prices go down? I don't know. But I have a little daughter myself. And looking at this photograph, I cannot help but imagine her in that stroller. Dear Ukrainians, I am so sorry. Please, forgive us.