Too many analysts have suggested that the Ukrainian people are simply pawns, manipulated by either Russia or NATO in a global “chess game.” In this account they have no agency. It is hard to make that claim now, as Ukrainian soldiers and people courageously resist the Russian invasion.

In a fight it is usually not wise to insist that your opponent, no matter how odious and bullying, say “uncle,” when you have him firmly on the ground. And especially so when he is carrying a lethal weapon. A better strategy is to provide him some space that allows him to retreat with some dignity with his weapon deactivated.

Putin in the early days of the invasion of Ukraine said,

“… today’s Russia remains one of the most powerful nuclear states. Moreover, it has a certain advantage in several cutting-edge weapons. In this context, there should be no doubt for anyone that any potential aggressor will face defeat and ominous consequences should it directly attack our country.”

But this is an invented threat. And Putin knows that. NATO has made many wrongheaded decisions and taken many misguided actions, but an invasion of Russia isn’t on its agenda and Putin knows that. But by suggesting it, Putin was threatening – attempting to intimidate – the rest of the world.

In a longer and interesting article, Michael Walzer writes, “The war has been almost universally condemned, with “explanations” and apologies that amount to support coming from three groups: political realists, who believe in spheres of influence and want to recognize Russia’s sphere; right-wingers who admire authoritarian leaders and see Putin as one of their own; and leftists who are sure that the United States and NATO must always be the only bad guys. The three have this in common: they aren’t looking hard and close at the actual war.”

Well said.

This article is well worth reading. The author makes the point that the rapid growth of a distinct Ukrainian identity and nationality was of great concern to Putin. Soon it would become, Putin’s feared, irreversible. And thus a formidable barrier to his vision of a greater Russia. This spike in the process of national renewal, independence, and consciousness is traceable to the Maiden revolution in 2014 – a revolution that had been and still is reduced by many on the left – and the communist movement in particular – to no more than a U.S. engineered and Nazi led coup d’etat and counterrevolution with no democratic dimensions.