I read with great interest the July 3 column by Professor Pat Hynes concerning a negotiated peace settlement for the war in Ukraine [“Negotiate for peace in Ukraine”]. I wholeheartedly agree with the professor’s comments about why war is a disastrous endeavor for all parties involved. I have personal experience with this having served 14 months as a medic in Vietnam back in the 1960s.
However, in regard to negotiating for peace, let me run this scenario by everyone: Northern parts of the state of Maine have many, many residents who speak French and are closely related to residents of Quebec in particular. Imagine a scenario whereby Canada invaded and annexed major parts of northern Maine to “protect“ those French-speaking residents. Would Professor Hynes and two letter writers supporting her thesis be content with negotiating a settlement that involved Canada keeping part of the state of Maine?
I somehow doubt it. Or how about if Mexico, which previously held sway over the current U.S. state of Texas, decided to invade and annex Texas? I realize there are some people who would probably not object to that, but nonetheless, both scenarios clearly would violate international law.
In Ukraine, the Russians annexed Crimea against all international rules, and further annexed portions of the Donbas region. Beginning about a year and a half ago, the Russian military has conducted a campaign of terror against innocent civilians all over the country of Ukraine, displacing tens of millions of innocent people.
I was tempted to call this an “indiscriminate” campaign, however, it was not that. Rather, it was specifically designed to attack civilian, rather than military, infrastructure, including power systems, hospitals, schools, residences, churches, etc., including bombing a shelter for hundreds of innocent women and children, many of whom were killed. International agencies have documented this and other war crimes, including kidnapping hundreds, perhaps thousands of Ukrainian children, who were brought to Russia for indoctrination.
Meaning no disrespect to Professor Hynes, in my opinion any negotiations that leave Russia in control of any part of Ukraine — unless the Ukrainian people accept that outcome — would unleash despots the world over to feel free to do the same.
Bill Coli
Charlemont