The Ukraine War is escalating dramatically, and there are no immediate prospects for peace. This war may pit nuclear powers, i.e., the United States, Russia, and possibly other countries, against each other if we keep on the current track. How did we get here, and how can we avoid a disastrous outcome? Let’s take a look.
How Did We Get Here?
Russia invaded Ukraine again in February 2022. Previously, they had invaded Ukraine in 2014 and annexed the Crimea region as part of Russia. This latest incursion faced heavy resistance right from the start. Russia had anticipated the war would be brief, but we just surpassed the 1000-day mark.
This Ukraine war has escalated over the past year, and we are approaching a very dangerous point. Russia was using long-range missiles to hit locations deep inside Ukraine. In April of 2024, the United States secretly shipped long-range missiles to Ukraine but required approval from the US to attack targets in Russia. Shockingly, President Biden gave that approval last week in response to Russia deploying ~10K North Korean troops to the Ukraine border. On Tuesday, Ukraine shot our long-range missiles into targets in Russia. In response, Russia threatened to launch a nuclear missile should Ukraine decide to use our long-range missiles again. A report came out today that President Biden approved Anti-Personnel mines, reversing a previous policy. Russia will likely view this as another escalation in the Ukraine War.
There Has Not Been a Focus on Peace in Ukraine
The Biden Administration has spent more time putting together aid and weapons packages for Ukraine than being a peace-maker. This is the exact opposite behavior we are seeing from them in the Israel War in Gaza. Why is there less focus on finding a peaceful solution when a country with nuclear weapons is involved? President-elect Trump has already spoken to both countries’ leaders and offered a peace proposal that Ukraine declined. He has said repeatedly that ending the Ukraine War is a high priority, but we have Biden going tit-for-tat with Putin and escalating the situation. This is a scary time for the entire world.
Jesus says, “Love your Enemies”
In Matthew 5: 43-45, Jesus speaks to us about “loving our enemies”:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
Following Jesus is hard work, but as Catholics, we must be able to put aside personal feelings and always look out for our brothers and sisters. One of our deacons once told us, “You don’t have to like ’em, but you gotta love ’em.”
In Matthew 5: 9 Jesus also tells us in the “Beatitudes”:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The United States must take a more proactive approach to finding peace in the Ukraine War instead of continually “upping the ante” with Russia. As loud as this Administration has been about a ceasefire in Gaza, they need to be just as loud, if not louder, for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Russia’s Putin is a despot and an irrational man at times. There are no winners in a game of “chicken” between nuclear powers. Please storm Heaven with prayer for the ceasing of all hostilities across the globe.
What did you think of this article? Do you agree? If not, please feel free to share your thoughts. Comments are welcomed and encouraged.
Peace
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