Ukraine does not need abstract moral sermons, but concrete support.

2nd letter from Kyiv

Again, I am writing to you from Kyiv. The Russian occupying forces have left the north of the city and of the country. They left nothing but atrocities, devastation, and pain in their wake. Their withdrawal has revealed the extent of their war crimes: mass executions of civilians, hidden in mass graves, systematic rape of women and young teenagers.

There are many martyr cities like Bucha in the recently liberated areas in the north of the country, and, unfortunately, one can be sure that there are many more Bucha in the still occupied areas - not to mention Mariupol - and that the scale of the horror is immense. All these crimes together have one name: genocide. But those responsible also have names. We know them, we collect the evidence of their crimes, so that justice can prevail. That is the least we owe the victims.

While my country is still investigating these war crimes and organizing its defenses in the east and south as best it can, a controversy over arms supplies has arisen in Germany.

A letter emerged calling for these supplies to be halted as they would prolong the war. The text urges us to stop fighting and lay down our arms to prevent a third World War.

So, I want to clarify a few points here. First, we have not declared this war. It is the imperialist madness of Putin who decided to simply invade and conquer an independent and free country in the heart of Europe. Second: Yes, we defend ourselves against this aggression. Third, we need weapons to defend ourselves. And yes, we will fight back until the aggressor goes home. Fourth, Germany has risen to its responsibilities and has decided to help Ukraine safeguard its freedom, honoring it before the world and history. Germany understood that Ukraine is defending European values with Ukrainian lives and that it is time to do this also with European weapons.

To describe our resistance as warmongering and as a provocation for Putin is complete nonsense. For the Russian imperialist regime, our very existence is a provocation because we are a democracy. So no, we will not forsake our identity to appease a dictator's murderous madness and outdated dreams. And certainly not to please some "intellectuals" who seem to have lost their sense of reality and reason.

I say: blind pacifism is just as dangerous as blissful warmongering. Unfortunately, this debate is reminiscent of the debate in the interwar period. Yesterday, like today, the so-called pacifists want peace at any price. In some European capitals one heard at that time: "Hitler and fascism instead of war". And today: "Putin instead of war?".

Peace at any price, but at what price? Our freedom? Our identity? Our integrity? The absolute good is not peace, but freedom and justice, and to defend them you must fight.

As for negotiations, we would always be ready, but not on their terms. The Russians are only willing to discuss the way they will subjugate and partition Ukraine. So no, you can't go to the negotiating table with cannibals.

We do not need abstract moral sermons, but concrete support in the form of medicines, materials, and weapons. We don't need cowardly letters making the victims feel guilty, but courageous letters denouncing Russian barbarism and calling for a boycott of Russian oil, gas, and coal. The only way to end this war is to show Putin's Russia that the whole world opposes this aggression and dry up the revenue streams that are funding this bloody war.

Ukraine wants peace. It wants its old life back and look ahead to a European future of freedom and prosperity. It knows that it can count on the German people, its brotherpeople.

Kyiv, May 3rd, 2022