America, you didn't fail us
You may have lost the election, but your character and spirit remain intact.
One week past the elections in America, Iβd like so much to refresh my mind and start to think about something else. To bring something particular about life in Ukraine or some insight to soothe our souls... but so far, it has been simply impossible.
The candidate who won the polls has such an extreme approach towards Ukraine that its consequences are so widespread that we still need to talk about it.
In the entire free world, everyone who loves democracy is still too heartbroken to avoid the subject. As psychologists say, itβs always better to express our feelings and confront them.
And nothing breaks our hearts here in Ukraine more than to hear and read so many wonderful people from America coming to us and saying that they have failed us. That they are embarrassed by their compatriots' choice. That they are ashamed for their country.
They are the same wonderful people who have closely followed the war in Ukraine since the beginning. People who are standing by Ukrainians on social media, supporting our initiatives, doing everything they can to pressure their representatives, displaying a flag of this distant Ukraine in their homes and cars.
You, my friends from America, have absolutely nothing to feel ashamed about or to feel that you failed us. Please never forget that the connection between America and Ukraine goes much beyond leaders and elections: our relationship is strong and was built on shared ideals of liberty, resilience, and unity.
It was built to endure beyond leaders and the politics of any given moment, including the one that will start next January. Because leaders and their political choices, even when they are disastrous, are mostly oriented to meet short-term and mid-term objectives. What we have, the alliance between the United States and Ukraine, is based on a long-term partnership.
Itβs not only an alliance between America and Ukraine. Itβs an alliance between the people of the United States of America and the people of Ukraine.
Between people like you, who, in all your fairness, feel embarrassed, and me, who will never confuse the genuine care of so many Americans with the decisions that may be made on a higher level.
In every word of encouragement, in every shared hope for justice, and in every heartfelt apology, we find the same commitment that drives us here in Ukraine. Itβs the commitment to a future where freedom prevails, and where democracies stand strong against any form of oppression or tyranny.
We see the passion, compassion, and genuine care Americans have for Ukraine. These are things that transcend any political figure.
Our gratitude for you cannot be expressed in words, and we will keep fighting for our shared vision of a world where freedom, justice, and peace are upheld.
We donβt see a failure. Instead, we see a challenge to stand even stronger together
Itβs in these difficult moments that true alliances are forged.
Now, our task is to work together and create a democratic front that will unite Ukraine, the U.S., and all those who believe in the values that free nations represent.
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π More than a newsletter, this is a community. We divide our lives, share emotions and establish a connection that has been amazing to me and comforting at the hardest times. I hope to reach you with an inspiring content and make at least a little difference in your perceptions about Ukraine.
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π Iβve also written a book called βThe Divine Comedian: Ukraineβs Journey Through Hell, Purgatory, And Paradiseβ. If you still havenβt read it, I welcome you to take a look and give me your opinion. It is available for free downloading in PDF and Kindle formats:
I downloaded your book and have read it straight through in one sitting. I didn't intentionally plan this, but it was a wonderful antidote to the despair I was feeling about Trump winning our Presidency. During the Vietnam War where many of my high school classmates were drafted after graduation to fight, if they weren't safely in college, I went to College and Medical School. On my worst nights of residency, when I felt the tasks I was responsible for performing were beyond my skills and endurance, and that I couldn't stay awake one more hour (despite other people's lives depending on my functioning on no sleep), I would think of my high school classmates fighting in Vietnam, and repeat the mantra to myself: I may have been awake for 36 hours and feel exhausted, depleted and worried about hurting someone under my care from a mistake, BUT AT LEAST NO ONE IS SHOOTING AT ME. Reading your book reminded me that no matter how disappointed I feel about the results of the US election, we have to fight on for ourselves against the forces in the US who would love to join with Putin in dividing up the world. And when my hope and energy falters, remind myself now, as was true in the 1970's, I have to be grateful that no one is shooting at me, and gain strength from supporting those still being shot at in their efforts to push back despots! Thank you for that reminder.
Thank you ... that's very gracious and openhearted. We ARE grieving the loss of what could have been, raging the vile outcome that threatens us all. But the majority of Americans are STILL very much in support of your beautiful country and its ultimate survival and victory. That is unwavering.