Hours after Russia launched its war against Ukraine my thoughts turned to what seemed inevitable: that this democratic nation once again would lie prostrate before the thugs and thieves in the Kremlin. I envisioned oligarchs wielding increased power to feed their avarice, more influence from fifth columnists, and a loss of identity among the Ukrainian population when the ethnic cleansing known as Russification resumes after a thirty year hiccup. As the Russian military began its encirclement of Ukraine’s major cities, thirty years of hope and liberalism in an ethnocentric Ukrainian state was again under assault as the rest of the world – hands behind their collective backs – looked on. Again treating the situation as if it were a family squabble entirely within Moscow’s purview.

To be fair, the sanctions imposed by the West are serious in their scope. The weapons that the West finally authorized for Ukraine are streaming into the country, albeit years too late. Soldiers must utilize such assistance for it to have any value, and soldiers were not streaming into Ukraine. President Biden stated more than once that there would be no NATO boots on the ground fearing this would trigger the start of WWIII.

Although I cannot fault the West for stating aloud their desire to avoid any personal bloodletting, in my despair I felt the announcement to be premature. As I considered the reality, a singular truth crept slowly forward breaking the surface of my awareness. I realized that it is absolutely essential for Ukraine’s future that her citizens fight this battle alone against their centuries-old nemesis.

Fight the Russian war machine and win.

Viet Nam fought superpowers for decades and emerged victorious. Afghanistan did so against the same oppressors facing Ukraine. We can look to our own American history for the most glaring example of a David-Goliath narrative. Ukrainians need to own this.

Ukraine has previously faced extinction and survived, but in all of those cases, Kyiv asked for military assistance from other nations. Not just arms and ammunition, but armies. In the mid 17th century, Ukraine’s Cossacks asked for assistance from Moscow against Poland’s hegemony. That Treaty of Pereyaslav is the basis for Moscow’s continued position that Ukraine willingly joined its empire. In 1709 Ukraine asked for Sweden’s militaristic King for assistance in separating itself from Russia. They lost. Following WWI Ukraine asked Germany for assistance against the Polish and Russian armies, both communist and tsarist. During WWII Ukraine, like other captive nations, welcomed Germans as liberators from their Russian overlords, and they sought their help and that of the West as they continued fighting after the war.

As recently as 1994, Ukraine relied on others to “guarantee” their borders. Known as the Budapest Memorandum, Russia, England, and the United States signed this agreement that guaranteed Ukraine’s borders in exchange for dispensing with their inherited nuclear weapons. Moscow willingly signed this knowing full well that a nuclear Ukraine could never be forcibly returned to the fold. Putin cynically reneged on this commitment when he invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014. My cynicism convinces me that the conservative elements in Russia never considered independent Ukraine to be a permanent condition. Sadly, even democratic forces in Russia view Ukraine as a province of Moscow. One hopes the lies they were taught in school or at their grandpas’ knees can be unlearned.

It is high time Ukraine learned to rely on itself rather than on the kindness of others. This war is an opportunity for Kyiv though it hardly seems like one to most. In fighting vigorously in defense of its homeland, Ukraine has the opportunity to earn the respect of the family of nations. The cost of freedom remains high just as it has always been. That the Russian forces are in retreat gives me hope just as it has to those nations still suffering in Russia’s sphere. Georgia, Moldova, Chechnya, and others. The wretched feeling of history repeating itself that registered in me during the initial stages of the war have been replaced with pride and hope.

The immensity of this unfolding tragedy has not been lost to the world as Moscow hoped. Bullies always prefer to do their dirty work in secret, but it’s impossible to hide over four million Ukrainian refugees. It’s impossible to keep media from reporting the shelling of civilians including those in schools, theater bomb shelters marked ”children,” hospitals, and other soft targets. Russia can shout “Fake News” all they want, but even the reactionaries in the West who admire the little imp in the Kremlin will be forced to reconcile the media images of civilian slaughter, rape, and utter devastation with the lies he spews. Can they put aside their admiration for the little Russian Napoleon enough to acknowledge the reality of what we all are witness to? That Moscow is worried by the evidence of war crimes is undisputed. They fear openness, all dictatorships do. As Sergei Lavrov, their foreign Minister said weeks ago, “The world is tired of hearing about Ukraine.” Too bad that saying so doesn’t make it so.

Still, the war isn’t over and it remains to be seen just how the world will handle this international bully. I do have some suggestions. At the least, NATO and other allies must continue to supply and resupply Ukraine’s armed forces to include planes and tanks. Additionally, the West cannot roll back sanctions when the tanks are silent but Russian occupation of Ukraine’s land begins in earnest. Russia cannot be rewarded for again attacking its neighbors in yet another land-grab. We have enabled the Russian fascists for over twenty years. The sanctions must continue until Moscow cries “uncle” in one form or another or true liberal democrats seize power.

The best possible outcome would be if Ukraine actually wins on the battlefield. Alone. 

Tragic though it is, this war has the potential of seeing Russia brought to its knees economically and humiliated militarily. The Ukrainians are fighting fiercely in defense of their homeland. They are pugnacious and belligerent in their attitude toward Russia. Seemingly fearless. Of the four million Ukrainian refugees, at least a quarter million have returned to fight the invaders. Men and women. Young and old. In some areas, much of the Russian fighting force has been obliterated and a month into the war, they are regrouping and calling up another 135,000 conscripts. More death for Russia and more destruction for Ukraine. I liken the situation to the neighborhood bully who’s always got his way. Who gets to beat and rob neighbors with impunity?. Who can steal and rape without fear of reprisal? So far, we’ve allowed Putin to do so on an international level.

How does one handle a bully? Should the victim cower and do whatever the bully wants, or should the victim fight back? We know how a bully reacts when allowed to run amok, taking and taking and taking some more. Ukraine can’t go to the faculty or principal to complain; that’s what she did before when asking for help from others. Bullies don’t like to be hit. They become indignant that anyone dared return a blow for a blow. It’s time to see what a bully does when – like his victim – he’s already bloody and the fight continues. What does he do when the victim says, “I have everything to lose by backing down, and nothing to lose by fighting back.” Cretins like tiny Putin will surely double down, causing more mayhem abroad and at home. The victims must also rise to the occasion and there are two victims here. The people of Ukraine and the people of Russia are both being victimized by the outlandish dreams of empire offered by one murderous despot. One group faces the onslaught of armies and the other faces an army of lies and avarice. Perhaps when the Russian people will recognize and accept the march of history, they will gather after tens of thousands of funerals and say “Enough!” to their leaders.

The feeling of doom I felt a month ago has dissipated into something more akin to cautious optimism. However matters unfold on the battlefield, the heroism of Ukraine, going it alone against the famed and feared Russian juggernaut, has already earned it a place in the pantheon of freedom-loving nations who have resisted tyranny.