Dear All,

Today, with Russia’s Vladimir Putin dragging the world back into the law of the jungle by his unprovoked attack on Ukraine, we find ourselves faced with a historical turning point not unlike England during WWII and the Cuban Missile crisis. The outcome may realistically determine whether we live in a world of relative peace and security or a hellish confrontation between autocracy and democracy.

We know now that Putin is willing to follow Stalin’s playbook by crushing opposition, preventing his own people from learning the truth about his actions, and using military power to subjugate Russia’s neighbors, as well as threatening other nations with the use of nuclear weapons. If he is successful in these bullying tactics, other authoritarians that have arisen in recent decades around the world will be encouraged to align with Putin’s tactics and leadership. Therefore, the Ukraine crisis has become the frontline in this battle and the harbinger of a potential global war that threatens not only to destroy democracies but the very concept of civilization.

We live in a global economy connected by technology, interdependence of trade, energy markets, and natural resources, making the establishment of the rule of law essential to Western values, peaceful coexistence, and our very existence. The rapid rise of cyber weapons and artificial intelligence (AI) could easily disrupt all of this and plunge the world economies into chaos.

In this Russian invasion of Ukraine, no one on Earth can afford to be bystanders. In the post-Soviet world, Ukraine could easily have become an autocracy, but they chose differently. Despite grinding poverty and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Ukrainians established a young and vulnerable democracy. Opposition candidates repeatedly replaced incumbents and when faced with the threat of autocracy in 2004 and 2013, Ukrainians twice rose in revolt to defend their freedom. Ukraine complied with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 1994, something that had other nations fully complied with we would likely not be facing nuclear blackmail by an aggressive and mentally unstable dictator today.

According to James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson at a press briefing in Geneva in March of 2022, over 400 Ukrainian schools have been damaged during the ongoing Russian invasion, with more than 60 completely destroyed. Additionally, a staggering 1.5 million children have been forced to flee Ukraine, at a rate of seventy-five thousand per day. The recent Human Rights Watch report indicates a disturbing "progress" of 3,790 educational facilities devastated. Furthermore, UNICEF estimates that more than 2.5 million children have been internally displaced within Ukraine, with approximately 1,800 fatalities. These figures highlight the profound impact of the conflict on Ukrainian children, as attacks on education represent attacks on their future.

However, as we confront this crisis, it is essential to consider the broader implications for global stability, particularly regarding the role of the United States as the international policing force. The loss of America's leadership in preventing tyrannies could have profound consequences, not only for global security but also for the US economy. Since the Bretton Woods agreement in 1944, the US has played a pivotal role in preventing the emergence of new tyrants, thereby securing the world's acceptance of the US dollar as the reserve currency. This arrangement has allowed the US to sustain its military budget and manage its debt. However, if the US fails to uphold its role as the leader of the free world, the debt of the US could quickly transition from a notion to a significant economic problem. Furthermore, the Soviet doctrine, re-adopted by Putin, includes a strategy to divide the USA into three states, a plan also not foreign to China. Such geopolitical challenges underscore the urgency of supporting Ukraine and defending democratic principles worldwide.

As we contemplate the legal ramifications of Russia's aggression, it is crucial to explore avenues for holding Russia accountable and mitigating the impact of its actions. One potential avenue is examining the legal grounds for Ukraine to seize Russian assets, particularly funds held in various banks. Legal experts have analyzed this issue, including the report provided by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. By leveraging international law and coordinating with allies, Ukraine may be able to take action against the assets of the aggressor nation. However, while it is essential to proceed with caution and consider potential repercussions, including diplomatic and economic consequences, it does not mean being slow, ineffective, and tolerant of Russia's ambitions to conquer the world. Ukraine has already suffered damage amounting to at least a trillion dollars, and Russia continues to inflict further harm and therefore the arrested Russian reserves will be addressed anyway. Therefore, it is imperative that action be taken promptly to hold Russia accountable and prevent further aggression.

In conclusion, the crisis in Ukraine necessitates urgent and significant support from the international community. By unequivocally backing President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine, we can uphold democratic principles, preserve global stability, and safeguard the future of our nation and democracies worldwide. Failure to take action now, regardless of any justifications, will jeopardize the safety and well-being of the citizens of the United States of America, including our people, our children, our assets, and our future - everything that you have sworn to protect. It is imperative that we fulfill our duty to safeguard our nation and its values.

Best regards, 

We, the reasoned minds