The American Way to End the War in Ukraine

Let's be clear about some facts when we discuss what's going on in Ukraine.  Russia is the aggressor here.  Circumstances being what they are, as the Soviet Union fell apart, and independent nations began to emerge from among the traditional, cultural, linguistic and political boundaries that existed, separate from those of Russia, the borders around territory and populations claimed by the emerging countries was recognized by both Russia, and the rest of the world.  

Ukraine was a vital and intricately connected part of both the Czar's empire, and the subsequent Soviet Union.  But it has a distinct culture, language and identity, because it did exist as an independent state at one time, one of the major influences on the culture of the region, including Russia.  It's capital, Kyiv, is a cultural center for both Ukraine and for Russia.  

But the Ukrainians declared their independence, legally, separating from the Soviet Union, and establishing an independent republic, democratic in nature.  It encountered many bumps along the way, including obstacles related to Russian style government corruption, which threatened to derail its democracy.  But the Ukrainians had some ideals in mind, similar to those of the United States.  They are entitled to their sovereignty, and to the area that was originally a part of the country when it was created thirty some odd years ago.  

In spite of some corruption, including some unfortunate involvement with the Trump administration previously, Ukrainian democracy has landed on its feet.  It has faced, weathered, and fought off this Russian bullying intrusion remarkably well, and with most of its government intact.  In fact, the people of Ukraine have invested their trust in their government leadership, something that might have taken much longer had there not been a war to bring people together in a common cause. 

They have paid a terrible price, unimaginable in the post-World War 2 era, as several of its major cities have been largely destroyed.  That's not new to Ukraine, much of the country was laid waste by the Nazi invasion in 1941, and again during their retreat in 1944.  But it's something we thought we were past, or at least we had hoped that we were.  But they have demonstrated their willingness to stand up for their freedom and independence, and they have defended it for three years.  

American idealism has set an example for the world.  That's not being arrogant, the fact of the matter is that a lot of the rest of the world that has become free from political oppression in recent years has modelled its independence after ours.  Some of them won freedom in a fight, some of them simply took advantage of favorable circumstances.  But this has put us in the position of being the supporter of, and promoter of democracy throughout the world.  That's who we are, that's why we exist.  And without getting entangled in a foreign war, we have been able to help Ukraine fight for their freedom.  

So here is how the peace agreement should go, according to good, old fashioned American values.  

Ukrainian sovereignty is restored to all areas of Ukraine that were once part of the independent country without exception.  This includes the Crimea, the Kerch Peninsula and the Donbas region.  It's all Ukrainian and it should be under Ukrainian sovereignty.  Russians living in those areas need to recognize Ukrainian rule and either become citizens, so they can have a measure of freedom that their fellow Russians do not enjoy, or they can move back into the large, open spaces of Russia itself.  

That's a reasonable settlement.  The Ukrainians should agree to nothing less, the Russians should accept it and the United States should gain support for it through the United Nations.  

In addition to this, Ukraine should immediately be accepted into NATO.  As a full military ally, the United States and the rest of NATO should guarantee the security and sovereignty of the country.  

Russia must agree to finance reconstruction of all damaged areas, down to the last damaged apartment building in the last damaged town.  All of it, 100% of the rebuilding, should be at Russia's expense, especially the infrastructure they deliberately destroyed.  

And if the Trump administration isn't willing to accept this, then they are exposing themselves as unAmerican, anti-Patriotic traitors.  Nothing else is satisfactory, nothing else meets the standard of American values.