Very few people in the USA are concerned about elections in Ukraine, but an election for president there may be about to shake Europe. The Ukrainian presidential election took place a few weeks back. Since no candidate got a majority, there is about to be a runoff between the top two vote getters. The leader in the first round was Volodymyr Zelensky. He's a comedian and an actor who is best know for playing the president of Ukraine on a popular TV show. The second place candidate was the incumbent president Poroshenko. According to polls, Zelensky is leading by a wide margin in the runoff.
Remember, Ukraine is currently under attack by Russia in the eastern portion of the country. In 2014 the Russians seized Crimea from Ukraine. After that, so called "Russian separatists" started an "uprising" in the eastern portion of the country along the border with Russia. Despite denials from Moscow, it is an accepted fact today that these so called "separatists" were actually Russian troops with Russian arms who had simply taken the insignias off their uniforms and equipment. It was the kind of massive lie that the Nazis or the Communists would have used decades ago to provide an excuse for their apologists around the world. The Ukrainian armed forces managed to stop the attack, but fighting along the eastern front is still simmering. Under Obama, the USA stayed away from any involvement with this battle; it left Ukraine to fend for itself against its much larger and stronger invading neighbor. President Trump has approved the sale of defensive weapons by the USA to Ukraine, a move which has greatly increased the cost that the Russians would pay were they to try to take more Ukrainian territory.
A new Ukrainian president will have to deal with the Russian threat. The incumbent has managed to stop the losses, but sits in a stalemate. Zelensky proposes negotiations with Putin to try to bring peace to the region.
The other big issue being pushed by Zelensky is the corruption that is endemic to so much of Ukrainian society. Zelensky promises to mount a major fight to stamp out as much of that corruption as is possible. It's a very popular position.
The idea of a TV comedian becoming president of a major European nation is upsetting to the governing elites across Europe as well as to many permanent employees at the US State Department. Only someone with the expertise and experience they respect should hold such an important position. The people in Ukraine, however, have the last word, and they seem to strongly disagree. It's going to be interesting to watch this play out.
One last thing is important to know about Zelensky. According to reports, he's Jewish, or his mother is Jewish, or he used to be Jewish but converted, or he has some connection to being Jewish. That may sound confused, but the subject of Zelensky's background and religion is not one that has been much discussed by the candidate, his campaign or even his opponent. No matter what, however, the idea that Ukraine would have a likely president who is Jewish is extraordinary. Just about 1% of the population is Jewish, and Ukraine has a long history of virulent anti-Semitism. During World War II while under Nazi occupation, many Ukrainians welcomed the Germans as liberators who freed them from Soviet Russian domination. They then participated willingly in the round up of over a million Jews.
The election of a Jew as president of Ukraine may truly signify that hell is freezing over.
Remember, Ukraine is currently under attack by Russia in the eastern portion of the country. In 2014 the Russians seized Crimea from Ukraine. After that, so called "Russian separatists" started an "uprising" in the eastern portion of the country along the border with Russia. Despite denials from Moscow, it is an accepted fact today that these so called "separatists" were actually Russian troops with Russian arms who had simply taken the insignias off their uniforms and equipment. It was the kind of massive lie that the Nazis or the Communists would have used decades ago to provide an excuse for their apologists around the world. The Ukrainian armed forces managed to stop the attack, but fighting along the eastern front is still simmering. Under Obama, the USA stayed away from any involvement with this battle; it left Ukraine to fend for itself against its much larger and stronger invading neighbor. President Trump has approved the sale of defensive weapons by the USA to Ukraine, a move which has greatly increased the cost that the Russians would pay were they to try to take more Ukrainian territory.
A new Ukrainian president will have to deal with the Russian threat. The incumbent has managed to stop the losses, but sits in a stalemate. Zelensky proposes negotiations with Putin to try to bring peace to the region.
The other big issue being pushed by Zelensky is the corruption that is endemic to so much of Ukrainian society. Zelensky promises to mount a major fight to stamp out as much of that corruption as is possible. It's a very popular position.
The idea of a TV comedian becoming president of a major European nation is upsetting to the governing elites across Europe as well as to many permanent employees at the US State Department. Only someone with the expertise and experience they respect should hold such an important position. The people in Ukraine, however, have the last word, and they seem to strongly disagree. It's going to be interesting to watch this play out.
One last thing is important to know about Zelensky. According to reports, he's Jewish, or his mother is Jewish, or he used to be Jewish but converted, or he has some connection to being Jewish. That may sound confused, but the subject of Zelensky's background and religion is not one that has been much discussed by the candidate, his campaign or even his opponent. No matter what, however, the idea that Ukraine would have a likely president who is Jewish is extraordinary. Just about 1% of the population is Jewish, and Ukraine has a long history of virulent anti-Semitism. During World War II while under Nazi occupation, many Ukrainians welcomed the Germans as liberators who freed them from Soviet Russian domination. They then participated willingly in the round up of over a million Jews.
The election of a Jew as president of Ukraine may truly signify that hell is freezing over.
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