Vetspective: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is putting it all on the line for democracy – Will we?

2022-03-14T12:33:07-04:00

Three weeks ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, we have seen a large-scale, conventional war unfold the likes of which have not been seen since World War II. The specific objectives and endstate that Vladimir Putin has in mind remains murky. But one thing we know for certain: Putin sees NATO – and by extension democracy – as a threat.

Just weeks prior to the invasion – as the United States led a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics – President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood together at the Olympic opening ceremony. As almost a coming out party ahead of the games – solidifying what has been the directional nature of the Russia-China relationship – Putin and Xi more formally presented their “strategic partnership” – trumpeting their approach to international order as an alternative for the world.

In a joint statement following their “Olympic summit,” Putin and Xi laid out a blueprint for their strategic ambition. Their statement suggested an alternative approach to the global order – one characterized by direct competition with the United States and the West rather than collaboration; one in which democratic principles are a choice rather than a natural right for all; one that condones “might makes right” rather than a rules-based international order; one in which what happens inside of a country such as human rights abuses and the like are the internal affairs of that country rather than subject to universal standards.

Indeed, Putin and Xi envisioned a new global order. But what has emerged following the invasion of Ukraine is not what Putin and Xi had in mind at their “Olympic summit.”

We don’t yet know how the Putin-Xi “strategic partnership” will be operationalized and how far China will go in supporting Putin’s adventurism. China does not want to be viewed as a pariah on the international stage. Accordingly, how far Xi will go in supporting Putin likely will not only be governed by what Putin does but also how vigorously the West stands up to resist Putin’s authoritarian ambitions.

That is why I am heartened to see that, following the invasion of Ukraine, we can see the spirit of the West in ascendance. We also see the resolve in European nations grow because they recognize that the vision and values behind Putin’s war of aggression – changing international, sovereign borders through military force – does not end with Ukraine. It represents a mindset and worldview that threatens European nations beyond.

And even as the West may be unable to stop Putin’s direct challenge to the rules-based, international order through the war in Ukraine in the short run, Putin’s adventurism may well be at such a cost to his military, to his people, to his own narrative of strength that he may actually lose in the long run. But, for Putin to lose in the longer term, he must be seen as losing to the West – not just Ukraine. Otherwise, Putin will – as we are already seeing with his censuring of his security apparatus – frame any loss as a temporary lack of competence by his military and intelligence services rather than a fundamental flaw in the values he espouses and the vision he presents to the world.

Standing in the breach is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He is putting it all on the line – not only for his country but also the ideals of democracy – so much so that in the coming days, weeks, or perhaps months, he may well lose it all.

His family. His kids. His life.

This leads me to the following question – would I? Would you? (Would we?)

Would you in the face of the overmatch of an attacking foreign military; would you with no clear commitment from the international community to decisively help protect your country; would you with the knowledge that you’re the number one target; would you put it all on the line?

Your family? Your kids? Your life?

For an idea?

Our founders recognized that the democratic Republic they established was, at its core, an idea. The truly revolutionary part of the American Revolution was the ideal that people could self-govern rather than serve as subjects to a monarch that has absolute, infinite, and infallible power over the entirety of society.

It was certainly a big idea – an idea that clearly continues to be relevant to this day as seen through Putin and Xi’s authoritarianism. But our democratic Republic is an experiment that is not always practical or easy carry out.

In a world in which everything is on-demand, instantaneous, and at the touch of a finger, can we, as a country and society, see the benefits of democracy? Can we value democracy? Can democracy thrive?

The concept of democracy, self-governance, free association, and the like does not lend itself to easy answers, pithy sound bites, or even pragmatism.

Democracy is messy. It is complex. It is unruly.

Indeed, it is not always desirable to receive and deeply contemplate others’ worldviews. It is not always simple to accept the change that can occur through the democratic process. It is not always easy to compromise with someone who has a diametrically opposing perspective for the good of the whole.

I think our founders would be surprised that our experiment in self-governance has gone on as long as it has.

Democratic ideals can be easily dismissed through arguments of practicality and inefficiency. It can be killed through dangerous narratives that suggest “the system is rigged” or “the people are dumb.”

Our founders understood that for democratic ideas and ideals to live on, it requires an “enlightened citizenry” – a citizenry that values not whether they are rewarded by the system but whether the system is strengthened through their process of participation.

Our founders also understood that it requires a citizenry that is willing to protect the Republic. Protecting democracy and democratic ideals is not for the faint at heart. The American revolutionaries of the 1770s and 1780s understood what it was like to put everything on the line against an overmatched adversary. And they, like Zelensky, put it all on the line – for an idea.

So, at this moment in history, I feel it worthy to ask:

Are there enough Zelenskys?

Are there enough people who would put it all on the line to protect and promote democracy and its ideals?

Are you a Zelensky?

Are we? Am I?

I am.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2022 12:46 PM

2022-03-14T12:46:31-04:00

The Democrats and Gen Z might be raising the White flag but count me in!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2022 12:58 PM

2022-03-14T12:58:08-04:00

In short, yes, I would still defend old glory. We may not be perfect, we have our faults, but our freedoms are too valuable to lose.

Response by SGT Tim. Wilson made Mar 14 at 2022 1:10 PM

2022-03-14T13:10:55-04:00

Very interesting and thought provoking piece!
As someone has already put down the Democrats and Gen Z, I can say I know a lot of Gen Z’s who are right now saying that we should be doing more to support Ukraine, like putting troops on the ground and they would join for that.
As for Democrats v Republicans who was it that fled to a sunny vacation and abandoned his state because of a winter storm? Oh that’s right a rough tough Texas Republican! PO2 Private RallyPoint Member
But to answer the overall question; I’d still stand the line!

Response by CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD made Mar 14 at 2022 1:12 PM

2022-03-14T13:12:19-04:00

Thought provoking. Great post - thanks.

Response by PO2 Marco Monsalve made Mar 14 at 2022 2:48 PM

2022-03-14T14:48:07-04:00

I would hope that when the time comes people would be patriotic enough and smart enough to put aside the political posturing, on both the left and the right, and do what is necessary for America. "Together we stand, divided we fall" is not just a saying it is reality.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Mar 14 at 2022 2:52 PM

2022-03-14T14:52:33-04:00

Interesting and thought provoking post. I have been watching and praying since this started. Honestly, I am not disturbed by our government's actions thus far, to be honest, it's about what I expected from the swamp rats in DC. I am somewhat disturbed by how many people, conservative and liberal, are buying into what is pretty obviously Russian disinformation. To be clear, I am not speaking of battlefield propaganda, but rather that which casts Putin and his cronies as "white hats" working to protect humanity from the evil rulers of Ukraine,

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Mar 14 at 2022 3:41 PM

2022-03-14T15:41:44-04:00

What many should be concerned about is a possible Chinese/Russian alliance. Just recently it's been reported China is now sending arms in support of Russia. Russia like China, are equal when it comes to small arms/ammunitions/ anti-tank weaponry, etc. China does have several high-tech operations as does Russia, could this be exchanging technical intelligence or providing Russia with artillery-type nuclear armament? Rest assured China is watching closely on how the west is responding because of its intentions toward Taiwan. If Putin is successful in invading and taking over Ukraine, China will attempt to do the same with Taiwan.

Response by SGT Christopher Shankle made Mar 14 at 2022 4:09 PM

2022-03-14T16:09:39-04:00

This is exactly why you officers get paid the big bucks lol

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Mar 14 at 2022 4:40 PM

2022-03-14T16:40:33-04:00

One thing we must not overlook and that's the possibility of Russia/China building an alliance. Currently, China is sending Russia military equipment, what equipment? Both are equally armed, both have massive oil supplies so what is this assistance? Rest assured China is watching Russia closely, for if Russia is victorious in taking over Ukraine, plan on China invading Taiwan. If the UN/NATO shows weakness and allows Putin victory, what or who is going to stop the Chinese? Where will that leadership come from?

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Mar 15 at 2022 12:11 AM

2022-03-15T00:11:49-04:00

"However, the Economist Intelligence Unit, which recently released its 2021 Democracy Index, doesn’t even consider Ukraine either a full or flawed democracy. Rather, Ukraine falls into the “hybrid regime” bucket, tied for 86th place with Mexico in the democracy rankings. (The United States ranks 26th, making it a “flawed democracy.”
Please. Don't wizz down my back and tell me it is raining.
I don't mind fighting. Just make it for a more correct and true reason. Defending the innocent. Women and children for example. That would be better than blowing smoke up people's skirt CPT.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Mar 15 at 2022 2:51 PM

2022-03-15T14:51:42-04:00

CPT Alex Gallo Interesting question that seems to have prompted some great patriotism. But I would counter that preparation would have to figure into this thought experiment.

Even if Russian allies with China and decides to "invade" the continental U.S., this country would need several decades of lack of preparation to remotely resemble the situation that Ukraine finds itself in where elected leaders are "standing the line". Even if we are "Red Dawned" and discounting CONUS forces (across all compos), We have more armed citizens than any other country, more "heavily armed" citizens and police forces than most every other country's armies. Since the start of the millennium, critical cyber and infrastructure systems that support defense have been under hardening and modernization. So even if half the country decided to surrender or flee, there are still millions of people left. The enemy's OPLAN would be suicidal.

The best they could hope for are lucky strategic strikes over a long period of time to soften the opposition. Even then, most of the military infrastructure would remain intact and, unlike Russia, we know where to get gas.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Mar 15 at 2022 8:52 PM

2022-03-15T20:52:48-04:00

No offense to prior authors but this is one of the best Command Posts I've read.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 16 at 2022 8:40 AM

2022-03-16T08:40:45-04:00

The entire situation is thought provoking and challenges us all with the question of what we are willing to do to protect our founding principles.
First, I have no doubts that most of us, and our fellow citizens, would take up arms to protect our nation against an invading force, be it Russian, Chinese, or a combination thereof. Many of us have faced armed foes for lesser reasons. But are we, as a nation, doing enough in the current situation to defend those principles.
Ukraine gained independence with the fall of the USSR, and while it is certainly doesn't reflect the USA model of democracy, is independent from Russia, pending the culmination of the current invasion.
In 1994, the Budapest Agreement was signed whereby, Russia, the USA, Great Britain, N Ireland and Ukraine agreed that Ukraine would give up nuclear weapons left in Ukraine on the dissolution of the USSR in return for guarantees by the signatories that Ukraine would be protected from nuclear or other attacks.
Today, every USA politician qualifies their statements on the Ukraine by a statement that they do not advocate our military presence in Ukraine.
Assuming the protection afforded by the Budapest Agreement is not considered binding, is there any precedent or obligation for us to become involved in the current war? Are the financial sanctions we have taken against Russia effective, or are they just going to be circumvented by the Russian closer alignment with China?
One need only look at the French involvement in our own revolution for precedent. While the French reasons for support of our Revolution are subject to controversy, the fact is they provided not only material support, but ground and naval forces to the colonies against the British without a formal pre-revolution agreement to do so.
While I am certain that our citizens would fulfill Admiral Yamamoto's prediction of a rifle behind every blade of grass if the USA were invaded, should we be more directly involved in the Ukraine defense? Is the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction enough to preclude Russian use of nuclear weapons and is our direct involvement necessary to prevent or delay closer alignment of China and Russia and the denial of the Chinese yuan from replacing the dollar as the world currency?

Response by SGT Joanie MacConnell-Rozek made Mar 16 at 2022 1:10 PM

2022-03-16T13:10:38-04:00

I think that's why we see vets that have gone over to Ukraine with boots on the ground. Those that have the skills and means are seeing this as the way to fight as close to a "Just and moral" war as we've seen in our lifetime. I would gladly still do that here and frankly there as well. Putin is testing boundaries. I hope we can meet that challenge and still keep out of WWIII. I don't envy President Biden on this - whether you like him or not. It's a tightrope act with astonishing consequences if we fail.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2022 1:54 PM

2022-03-16T13:54:17-04:00

https://theweek.com/russo-ukrainian-war/1011068/more-republicans-than-democrats-say-theyd-stay-and-fight-if-us-were

More Republicans than Democrats say they'd stay and fight if U.S. were attacked like Ukraine

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 16 at 2022 3:16 PM

2022-03-16T15:16:41-04:00

A whole lot of opinion asserted as fact here, as well as inaccurate oversimplification of history. And then conflation of the two.

Good thing this is an opinion piece and not intended to be scholarly.

As for the core question - am I a Zelensky? It would depend on the situation. I would (and have) risk myself pretty readily. Risking my family, though... I have a pretty hard time imagining a scenario where I can justify that. I ABSOLUTELY would stay and fight - broken as I am. But my wife would be on the first plane to Canada. And if no planes, She would have my car $1000 in cash, a credit card, and our most valuable jewelry so she can buy/barter gas and passage. And a handgun to protect herself and the valuables.

Unless, of course, she chose to stay and fight. She is a grown woman, and I would not DARE to deny her free will in the situation. I would plead for her to go, but never demand.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2022 10:40 PM

2022-03-16T22:40:45-04:00

Thank you for some good deliberate writing on many concepts affecting our nation.
Yes, I would.
Not for an idea. For my Country.

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Mar 17 at 2022 4:26 AM

2022-03-17T04:26:27-04:00

Thanks for sharing

Response by SR Kenneth Beck made Mar 17 at 2022 11:26 AM

2022-03-17T11:26:50-04:00

No one should vote to go to war unless they, or a close family member is going to fight.
V/R
KWB (Father of a combat veteran)

Response by CW3 Debra Irby made Mar 17 at 2022 5:54 PM

2022-03-17T17:54:51-04:00

My ancestors have been here since the beginning of Jamestown, also came on the Mayflower, and I am also Native American. They have fought in every war. As most of us have, I have seen what destruction war demands, lives lost, families separated. I absolutely would defend this country and my home. It is my ancestors that allowed me this freedom. As a nation we have not had to seriously consider the possibility of war in our country. Yet here we are. Just know, I am older so have a different outlook. The young still have long lives ahead of them. That said all Ukrainians are stepping up and fighting for democracy; for their freedom. Freedom isn't free.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Mar 17 at 2022 9:23 PM

2022-03-17T21:23:48-04:00

As A Former Member Of The USAF 1961 - 1965, I Believe We MUST Stop Putin NOW Or He'll Just Keep Going Until WE Are Next....And The More We Wait, The More Difficult It Will Be.. ..
"Put The Fire Out BEFORE It Spreads To The Forest" ......

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Mar 21 at 2022 10:14 AM

2022-03-21T10:14:32-04:00

This is a nice post I would add that this is this is bigger than Ukraine, NATO, and West vs. East. The politico-military landscape has been evolving away from the old NATO vs. Warsaw Pact and West vs. East construct now for 30 years. When Russia and China are collaborating it is time to recalibrate our views on the world order. Ukraine has become a proxy for this new politico-military construct. The USA and NATO in general are under no obligation to defend Ukraine, but any of the world powers who have a lot to lose if Russia and China replace the USA as the dominant superpowers and if this Sino-Russian alliance supplants NATO as the dominant politico-military-economic alliance, then using Ukraine as the front line for this new war is not a bad idea. It is not a good idea, but the alternative to not taking a stand in Ukraine could be the changing of the guard from a world with the USA as the superpower and NATO as the dominant alliance to a world where China and Russia either dominate poltico-military-economic constructs or usher world-wide chaos. None of us here on RP has all the answers, but it makes sense to me that any country that has something to lose if the Sino-Russian alliance succeeds should make Ukraine the first battlefront. If we support politico-military-economic support to Ukraine we do not need to support an antiquated casus belli (reason to go to war)--communism, neo-naziism, democracy, imperialism, corruption, West vs. East, et cetera. The reason that USA and its allies should take a stand starting in Ukraine is that we all have the most to lose in a new world order where Russia and China are the politico-military-economic leaders of the world.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 21 at 2022 7:50 PM

2022-03-21T19:50:24-04:00

President Volodymyr Zelensky is Ukraine's George Washington. He is tough, inspirational, and gives strategic messages to his people.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Mar 24 at 2022 3:13 PM

2022-03-24T15:13:00-04:00

Ready to go.

Response by PO3 Justin Bowen made Mar 26 at 2022 9:15 AM

2022-03-26T09:15:02-04:00

"...large-scale, conventional war unfold the likes of which have not been seen since World War II."

I also like to pretend that the large-scale conventional war in Iraq and all of the political, economic, and social fallout that came of it didn't exist.

Response by CPL Timothy Coffey made Mar 28 at 2022 3:27 PM

2022-03-28T15:27:57-04:00

Putin asked for some land to end the conflict, just small area next to Russian border. HE DID NOT WANT NATO to set up air defenses, etc... right on Russia border. We should give it to him and end the fight. If I was Putin I would feel same way. Others are escalating the situation for private reasons or they would have meet his demands. What everyone wants we may never know but the Citizens in Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and America are ones suffering not the Governments who are pushing the conflict. Other Presidents would have sit down and made a peaceful deal but if your not processing correctly and your back up don't have much experience or have serious personal problems we find wrong handling and loss of life by innocent Civilians and cost is whole different matter of its own.

Response by SSgt James Carter made Apr 1 at 2022 10:46 PM

2022-04-01T22:46:33-04:00

While my grandkids think I know many fossils by their first names, I do remember the time when Korea became a "police action" and my mother telling me how worried she was that my father might be recalled. I also remember individuals back then felt an obligation to be of assistance to each other whenever possible. While we may have had personal opinions of what we thought best for the country, we still banded together to support each other. That began to change about 50 years ago and has reached the point where very, very few civilians see any obligation to others or our country. Our population has become so self-centered and self-important that I worry patriotism is almost dead. I think political posturing is a symptom, not a problem unto itself. When the twin towers came down, I saw a glimmer of what we could be as a country, but there is much money made on turmoil, not unity of thought or direction. I hope my grandkids, or their kids are left with enough of a country to re-establish human compassion as the default rather than the exception.

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Apr 1 at 2022 10:56 PM

2022-04-01T22:56:55-04:00

The people of America for the
Most part will rise to the occasion and defend our country. But, there are those like Biden who do not possess the american fighting spirit and would take a knee.

Response by TSgt Jonathan (Chris) Watson made Apr 10 at 2022 9:53 PM

2022-04-10T21:53:49-04:00

Will this nation rally if enemies attack our democratic principles? In a word- no. We have stood down under an ongoing undeclared war against western democratically based culture since the end of WWII. We have been under assault by enemies foreign and domestic and do nothing. A recent poll I heard about said that if the US were invaded, a huge percentage of millennial and zoomers would leave the nation and not stand and fight. Honestly, I have more respect for those we fought against in Iraq and Afghanistan than I do for much of this nation. At least they STOOD for something. Most of our countrymen believe that hashtags and virtue signals are actually activism and that wearing a hoodie and a mask while acting like the Brownshirts is actually on a par with "combat." No, this nation will not stand up for what is right, in any meaningful manner. If we were serious about it we would take to the streets and demand Biden green light the Polish MiGs, put in a No Fly Zone, release domestic oil production, set up training camps in Europe, blockade the Soviet Black Sea Fleet while escorting aid ships to Ukrainian held ports, conduct operations to seize key ports, airports, roads, bridges, and railways to have a Berlin Airlift 2.0 to resupply and evacuate, pull out of the Iran nuclear negotiations, and demand that Russia and China be removed from the UN security c ouncil for crimes against humanity. It would never happen though.

Response by SPC Sean Dougherty made Apr 28 at 2022 1:30 PM

2022-04-28T13:30:47-04:00

You know here in America, Americans are just dumb let’s be honest here America sucks right now why because our political system has turned people partisans not Americans if the people who actually have control which is us the voters were smart then in 2022 and 2024 we would flip every single seat and vote out every incumbent regardless of political affiliation, we would stop buying into the lie that this is the most important election of our lifetime a phrase used in every single election since I was able to vote in 96, we would understand that the majority of the rhetoric is just bullshit and a flat out lie the fact is Americans hold all the power and none of the intelligence to wield it. We are the most useless people in the great history of humanity we deserve exactly what we get stupid people in charge and the far right and far left get the biggest microphone and are setting policy for the rest of us . Please for the love of America please pretty please with sugar on top pull your head out of your ass

Response by SFC Jerald Bottcher made Jun 6 at 2022 11:02 PM

2022-06-06T23:02:08-04:00

When I took my oath to my Country. I swore to protect is from all enemies foreign and domestic. For me that oath has never expired even though I completed my military service nearly 3 decades ago. Though I am old now and maybe not physically able to do as much. If I am faced with the same circumstances as the guys in the Ukraine. I would do everything in my power up to and including giving my life for my country if needed. I would not shirk my duty and responsibility

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Jun 20 at 2022 5:30 PM

2022-06-20T17:30:21-04:00

I intend to speak freely here. Exercise my First Amendment rights that WE have ALL attempted to protect and defend. We have done well so far with the foreign enemies. Things are NOT looking so good with the domestic kind. It seems to me that the protected speech nowadays is the politically correct "New Speak" of the Socialist LEFT.

I do NOT believe our current Commander in Thief packs the gear to defend Democracy here, much less defend democracy throughout the world. We also know that the Liberal Left (the Democrats who were Gung Ho about Bernie Sanders) are pro Socialism. And I am also pretty dang certain that whoever Brandons puppet master is, is not pro democracy.

Therefore; "We" as a country either did vote Brandon in as the duly elected President and "We" will NOT stand up for Democracy because "We" voted for Socialism and Liberalism, or "We" will NOT defend Democracy because "We" failed to do so when the 2020 Presidential election was in question. The really sad part is that people complained more when a referees ruling on the football field, was not reviewed if something did not seem right, than complained when things did not seem right with one of the most important events in our whole danged country. To this day we are STILL discovering "IRREGULARITIES" with the 2020 election.

In short. Democracy in this country is on life support and has been defecated on by the Democrats for years now. Other than an opportunity to "Virtue Signal" our current government does NOT give a rats sphincter about "Democracy".