Tag: Ukraine war

Putin’s Exiles

This is a quick book surveying Russians who abandoned their country once Putin began his “special military operation” against Ukraine. Granted, many of those who fled were thinking more of their personal comfort, but it was uplifting to read about those who where more principled. Even more uplifting was reading about some of the exiled Russians who are working behind the scenes to help Ukraine win the war, like the physicist who helped develop defensive equipment and was honored by Ukraine for doing so, and about those who have enlisted in the Ukrainian army and are risking their lives for Ukraine’s freedom. There are others working behind the scenes in Russia, assisting with sabotage. Those Russians willing to defy Putin are a small percentage of the whole. But even so, this book gives me hope that one day there might be a Russia that isn’t premised on killing one’s neighbors and isn’t premised on treating ones own citizens as medieval slaves.

Help Ukraine with donations, but choose wisely

Wondering which organizations give the best bang for the buck to help Ukraine?

Canadians, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation is the most efficient way to get your entire donation to the people who need it. Money is best (ie, not blankets, clothing etc) so the exact supplies can be purchased as needed. If you are American, the US-Ukraine Foundation is the best choice.

These two foundations work closely with people on the ground in Ukraine and their efforts are precisely targeted.

Pray for Ukraine, but donate too

If you’re feeling helpless as maternity hospitals, kindergartens and children’s cancer hospitals are routinely bombed, yes, please do pray. But also, please donate. This is a war of attrition and Ukrainians are dedicated to the freedom of their country but they’re outnumbered. Please donate. Canadians, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation is the most efficient way to give Ukraine help. Money is best so the exact supplies needed can be purchased.

I had also been recommending the Red Cross because the Canadian government is matching donations, but I’m alarmed with their negotiations with Lavrov and their potential opening of an office in Rostov-on-Don, which basically legitimizes the abduction of Ukrainians in the Russian “humanitarian” corridors. I think many Red Cross donators would be appalled that their well-meaning donations would go to such a use. More on this in this Reuters story.

If you are American, the US-Ukraine Foundation is the best place.

 

This evocative painting was created by my friend and artist, Martin Springett.https://martinspringett.com/

Juda School and questions about Putin’s war in Ukraine

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure to speak with these articulate students from Juda Wisconsin. The session went well beyond the usual hour because in addition to talking about Don’t Tell the Nazis and the Holocaust, we discussed Putin’s authoritarian regime and the horrific assaults on Ukraine right now, and how reading history informs the present. Thank you, Juda students, for your well-considered questions, your compassion and empathy.

Ukraine: how to talk to kids about the war.

In this interview I recommended that kids donate to their local Red Cross because here in Brantford they could go to the Red Cross building and donate their allowance. Since then, the international Red Cross is thinking of opening an office in Rostov-On-Don, which is a tacit condoning of Russia’s mass kidnapping of Ukrainians whose cities they’ve destroyed. More info in this Reuters news article. Info about donating here.