‘Does it matter?’

Dear Editor:

 Isn’t it time to stop the war and destruction in Ukraine?  The longer this battle continues the more difficult it becomes for the combatants to extract themselves. Deaths will continue to escalate, more weapons will be required and “red” lines will be crossed.  Rhetoric will exceed the limits of common sense.

As history unfolds China presents a 12-point proposal to end the fighting. It is immediately “shot down” by the west because China cannot be trusted and certainly Russia can’t. India, South Africa and Brazil struggle to remain neutral. After all, it is a European war.  Sweden and Finland want to give up their neutrality and become part of NATO. Turkey, itself a NATO country, says no to Finland for political reasons. Poland increases its contributions to NATO and Ukraine wants to join the European Union.  War is never what it seems!

To remember the first year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the American President Joe Biden, pledges another $2 billion (add that to the $30 to 70 billion already promised).  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians will stand with Ukraine – “whatever it takes, as long as it takes.”  Biden says his country will stand with Ukraine “whatever it takes, as long as it takes.”  It is important that there are no “cracks” in the support for Ukraine from NATO allies.

In a country that prides itself on freedom of speech, dissent and thought, ordinary citizens also have a say. I believe the ordinary people in Russia and Ukraine want to return to the normalcy of their lives before the invasion. Russian and Ukrainian soldiers want to return home to their families.

At this point, does it matter who started this war? Does it matter any longer who did what and when?  What matters now is that the voices for peace are given equal air time as the voices for war. We have heard too much from the voices for war and too little from the voices for peace.

Pressure must be put on those in the highest places of power to start serious peace talks. Many countries already have said they are willing to be involved.  

Write a letter, send an email, text or phone your MP or the Minister of Defense. Tell them about your fears not only for Europe but an ever expanding conflict. Organize a peace protest.

At least if you speak out against the escalating tempo of the war, you can tell your children or your grandchildren you did something – anything – to stop it.

Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood