Dear Editor:
Since the events on the Maidan and the subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine, a significant portion of Americans of Ukrainian descent has been actively supporting Ukraine in these difficult times by providing direct assistance, informing the media and lobbying the American government. For all of them, the need to support Ukraine has been self-evident. In his letter to the editor (February 28) Mr. Petrina puts this support in question. He states that it is all right for ethnic Americans that have an independent “mother country” to maintain their traditions, but is highly critical of their involvement in the U.S. political process on issues regarding their “mother country.”
There are three problems with Mr. Petrina’s argument. First, as pointed out by Yuri Deychakiwsky in his letter (March 5), to get involved or not is a personal choice, guaranteed by the American Constitution. Second, to equate the current situation in Ukraine with that in Ireland or Italy, and to suggest that ethnic Ukrainians should behave like ethnic Italians or Irish defies facts and logic. Third, Mr. Petrina does not seem to realize that sometimes supporting a foreign country is a matter of the security of the United States.
Russia has invaded Ukraine without any provocation, part of its territory has been illegally annexed, and the country is at war, fighting for its existence. Perhaps Mr. Petrina should travel to eastern Ukraine and witness the destruction caused by the Russian invasion, talk to the soldiers defending their country, visit seriously wounded soldiers in military hospitals, and talk to family members who lost loved ones at the Maidan or the war and to refugees who had to flee for their lives. Then he should make a stopover in Ireland or Italy and think again about his recommended equivalence.
Events in other countries often affect the security of the U.S. Top American military leaders, as well as many politicians and experts have pointed out repeatedly that Russia’ s behavior constitutes a major threat to the U.S., and that supporting Ukraine is in the interest of American security. The U.S. Congress has overwhelmingly supported providing military assistance to Ukraine. Support of their “mother country” by American ethnics is also often guided by concerns for the security of the U.S. A prime example is the lobbying of the American Jewish community in support of Israel. According to Mr. Petrina’s logic, this behavior is not appropriate for American citizens.
By zeroing in on three articles in The Ukrainian Weekly, one can assume that Mr. Petrina is an attentive reader of the paper and thus well informed about events in Ukraine. He is entitled to his opinion about getting involved in the U.S. political process to provide support to Ukraine. However, given the current situation in Ukraine, his position that all Americans of Ukrainian descent should limit themselves to maintaining Ukrainian traditions is hard to understand.
Chapel Hill, N.C.