Like many people who watched what happened at the White House yesterday, we are shocked by the disrespect shown to President Zelensky, a head of state of an independent, democratic country, by the American president and vice president.  It is, however, not entirely surprising considering President Trumps statements about the war in the past few weeks.  While we all want peace for Ukraine, a wartime president being berated for asking for security and guarantees for his country when being asked to ‘pay’ with his country’s resources, seems unreasonable.  If peace in Ukraine is to be achieved, it cannot be peace ‘at any cost’. A peace process needs to include input from the country that has been invaded, and not punish them and reward the aggressor. For a meaningful and lasting peace to be reached, Ukraine needs to be an integral part of the process and have assurances that although they may not achieve everything they want, they can retain their country, their independence, and their right to self determination.  If Ukraine can be treated this way by a world power like the United States, none of us can be assured of our rights as independent countries. Perhaps it is time for Ukraine to look to countries other than the USA to help develop a peace plan that can work for everyone, in the long term.

Janice Beck

President, Vancouver Branch

Association of United Ukrainian Canadians.