We must continue our support of Ukraine

What a difference a year makes.

Last week’s global commemoration of the first anniversary of Russia’s barbaric war against Ukraine was a painful reminder the world isn’t the same as it was 12 months ago.

Not only did the rallies and vigils demonstrate solidarity for the besieged Ukrainian people, they also underlined that Moscow’s illegal, unprovoked invasion threatens far more than the fate of its western neighbour.

So much is at stake in this conflict for Canada and the world’s other democracies. With no end in sight as the war grinds on, we can ill-afford to tire of the struggle and weaken in our support of Ukraine. Like its courageous people, we need to remain resolute in our commitment to freedom.

Amid the praise for Ukraine’s response to Russia’s aggression, I’m overwhelmed by a mix of thoughts and emotions. Indeed, there’s much to grieve and much from which to derive strength and hope.

I mourn the incalculable loss of life caused by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in his megalomaniacal quest to conquer Ukraine at any price.

With his military onslaught from the air, land and sea often hitting residential and other civilian buildings, he’s shown himself hell-bent on carrying out as much carnage and destruction in Ukraine as possible. His military has obliterated hospitals, schools, theatres, cultural treasures, apartment complexes, infrastructure and industrial centres. Whole towns and cities have been razed to the ground.

Inspired by Putin’s genocidal talk, Russian forces have committed atrocities against Ukrainian civilians on a massive scale. In addition to all those killed or wounded, millions of other Ukrainians are deeply traumatized by Russia’s savage actions and the continuing misery inflicted. That includes the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War.

Eight million Ukrainians have had to flee their country, with many more displaced internally. On a humanitarian level, we’re witnessing a disaster of epic proportions. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from history as a Jew, it’s the danger that evil poses when left unchecked.

Still, in this horrifically dark chapter of the 21st century, there are sources of light and reasons for hope.

A year ago, following Putin’s full-scale military assault, most experts expected Ukraine to fall within days. Instead, through the bravery, fortitude and resilience of its people, both on the battlefield and home front, and with help from the West, Ukraine has preserved its independent statehood.

Despite its untold suffering, the country still stands tall under the inspiring leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, valiantly defending its sovereignty, democracy, freedom and sense of nationhood. Ukraine’s resolve, along with the unity of western countries in supporting Ukraine, are cause for optimism amid all the sadness. To be sure, despite its successes against Russian forces, Ukraine faces much more adversity as the war rages on with no one knowing just how far Putin will go in pursuit of his odious agenda.

The war has demonstrated the importance of allyship, as western nations have come to the assistance of Ukraine. We in Canada owe the Ukrainians our continuing support and solidarity, especially as this is also a threat against the West.

We shudder to think what could happen to the world order if we were to allow Ukraine to fall. Its suffering presents a moral challenge to all of us. Through Putin’s wanton aggression and brutality, he has trampled on basic human rights and the western values of freedom and democracy. We can’t allow his war of attrition to weaken our outrage or cause us to falter in our responsibility to help Ukraine.

I’m reminded, yet again, of what, Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor and namesake of the organization I head, once said: “Freedom is not a gift from heaven. You have to fight for it every day.”

Wiesenthal learned the timeless truth of those words the hard way.

Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine) in its righteous fight for freedom.

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