Some Very Self-Centered Thoughts on the Ukrainian War

 

So, my vow to write about nothing but Ukraine until we see how it shakes out has been a mixed bag.  On the one hand, I haven't written about anything else.  On the other hand, the terror and horror have been so great that I just couldn't face it.

The horror -- bombing of civilian targets, maternity hospitals, children taking refuge, old age homes, everything.  Promising to open humanitarian corridors for people to escape and then firing on the people fleeing. Forcible relocation of refugees to Russia.  Kidnapping of officials. Endless, wanton, senseless death and destruction.

And the terror -- how much worse can it get?  Will Putin use nuclear weapons?  And even if he doesn't, the list of horrible that he could do is both long and appalling.

And at least as bad, what should we dread the most?  Should be dread Russian victories, meaning that the bad guys are winning?  Or should be dread Ukrainian victories, because Putin might do who-knows-what in response?

There is no doubt to my mind what the best possible outcome could be.  The best outcome is a negotiated end to the war that both sides can spin as a win.  But somehow that doesn't seem likely.  The Russians insist on annexation of Ukrainian territory and the Ukrainians absolutely refuse.  Both see this as non-negotiable.

So the next best outcome, I guess, is any negotiated settlement whatever.  And it is undoubtedly true that often in order for belligerents to reach a negotiated settlement of a war, they have to escalate first to strengthen their position.  Which wouldn't seem so bad if escalation simply meant escalating an offensive on the ground against enemy soldiers.  But in Putin's case, it means more relentless bombing of innocent civilians, and quite possibly worse yet.

And yet people somehow manage to carry on with their lives.