Ukrainian stand-up comedian Natalya Garipova appealed to the Russian people on social media this morning, saying, “Today you are taking your children to the playground. And we are trying to hide them from bombs’ direct hits.” She captioned her post with, “I’m a comedian. But fucking nothing is funny to me anymore” (“Но больше мне ни хуя не смешно”).
Who can imagine laughter today. The (Russia-based) International Union of KVN cancelled a broadcast scheduled for tonight with the hashtag #нетвойне (“#nowar”). And I considered those eight letters bold.
A lot of Russians are protesting as they can. But the same government that rolls over the democratic rights of Ukrainians attacks its own citizens when they speak out, too.
American and European leaders must help Ukraine militarily as possible, sanction Russia as possible, and come to the diplomatic table whenever possible. Better international leadership could have prevented this, and President Biden, at least, has a responsibility not to throw up his hands, label Putin a monster not worth his time, and leave Ukraine to become another Syria.
Ukrainians will never accept a Russian puppet government, and Russia will never risk war with NATO. NATO leaders: find a solution. Do it, do it now. In my opinion, Putin is waging this war now to prevent a bigger war with NATO later. Find a way to take WWIII off the table or Ukraine faces decades of civil war.