Solidarity with the people of Ukraine

Like many of you I am shocked and distraught by news of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, and I have been closely following the response from the international community. It is hard to fathom the impact on the lives of people in Ukraine and the senseless loss of human life. Perhaps I am naive, but I just find it hard to believe that something like this could happen in today’s Europe. I know that I can never fully understand what it is like for those directly affected by this terrible act of war, but I keep holding out hope that we will all come together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and do what we can to provide support.

I have been encouraged to see my native country of Sweden offer up some support by sending military aid to Ukraine. This is perhaps a small gesture but one that sends a strong political message from the Swedish government. It constitutes a departure from a long standing doctrine of not sending military supplies to countries involved in active conflicts, and includes sending anti-tank weapons in addition to protective gear and field rations. The last time Sweden sent weapons to another country in an armed conflict was during World War II when the Soviet Union attacked our Finnish neighbors. The arms doctrine can be interpreted as an extension of the neutrality principle followed by Sweden since WWII, although this stance was later abandoned at the end of the Cold War. Either way, given the current circumstances I support the Swedish government breaking with tradition regarding arms supply.

As a consequence of the war in Ukraine millions of people have left their homes and are either displaced internally or refugees outside the country’s borders. The United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR currently estimates that some 1.9 million Ukrainians are internally displaced and another 2.5 million has fled to neighboring countries. From all I have read the refugees have been well received in other countries, and I hope all of the European countries continue to show solidarity with Ukraine during these horrific events. And I encourage everyone to contribute in some way that might offer relief for those affected by the war. I know there is very little I can do, but I hope that supporting UNHCR will make some small difference. There are also many other organizations providing aid to Ukraine that are accepting donations or volunteer opportunities.

The people of Ukraine are demonstrating incredible resilience in the face of extreme aggression. I hope the nations of the world show solidarity and do everything in their power to bring an end to this madness.

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