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I know I am supposed to write about the anniversary of the war and the resilience of Ukraine. But I will just put up the pictures of our alumni who have died defending Ukraine during this year. Anton Golovchenko 1/
I want to tell how I saw the first day of the war. Here is the first pic that day. A traffic jam. Kyiv roads were packed. 1/
I made a choice that morning to focus on 1. safety of my immediate and extended family and 2 keeping KSE operational to provide analytical services to the govt. Our plan was to get together to my sisters house. Here we are sitting ducks in a jam with jets flying over us 2/
Except for the traffic jams, jets in the air, news, and sounds of explosions, streets looked normal. Shops were open. Public transport worked, although not too well. Gas stations were open, but lines were huge. There no bank runs. And a lot of police on the streets. 3/
One year apart, before and after the invasion of Ukraine, Putin's speeches had starkly different tones and themes. Before the war, he addressed global threats against Russia's and its right to defend against aggression. Now, he discussed domestic policy and social issues. 1/
Putin's 2022 speech was focused on Russia's defense against aggression from Western powers, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine after 2014. He condemned the West's expansion of NATO and their efforts to destabilize Russia's borders. 2/
By contrast, Putin's 2023 speech emphasized the need for social and economic development, with a focus on infrastructure, education, and healthcare. He acknowledged challenges such as poverty and inequality, and proposed solutions for improving the lives of Russian citizens. 3/
In the next days, I will recall my days at the beginning of the war. Mundane worries that were more important than fear. Let’s start with my decision to come back to Kyiv just before the war. I think it was one of my most important decisions in life. But it wasn’t rational. 1/
The war started on Thu, Feb 24. On Sat before the war I was in San Francisco. At a conference on teaching by Barbara’s Oakley. I wanted to be a better teacher and educational administrator. I woke up on Sat and saw in the news that most airlines cancel flights to Ukraine. 2/
At that moment I did not think about the war. I did not make a rational calculation, I did not compare pros and cons. I was just afraid to be stuck in the US and be unable to come to Ukraine if the war started. 3/
So, Putin has spoken today. A year after his infamous speech justifying the war and announcing annexation of the East of Ukraine. What's new?
1. Much less rhetoric about Ukraine being a failed state. I guess that would not fly today even to the domestic audience, would it? 1/
2. Focus on how to support soldiers and families. This is a sign of weakness. So, it is likely that as body bags continue coming back to Russia the support for the war will decrease.
3. Today Putin is on defense. The last year - it was confidence and arrogance. 2/
Now, key messages.
1. Putin starts by acknowledging that the future of Russia is being decided now. He claims that Russia was threaten by a nazi regime in Ukraine that came to power after a coup in 2014.
This makes no sense because there is no evidence of nazis regime. 3/
I come from Ukraine to the US for a week. People ask: "How do you keep sane in war?" Here is my answer.
1. Love. I think the war has made me a better person. More kind, empathetic, willing to go out of my way to help people. Ukrainians, but also others. 1/
2. Do I hate Russians? Yes, those who are killing us. Do I have friends who are Russians? Yes, those who are helping us to fight those Russians who are killing us.
3. But how do I reconcile love to people and hate to Russians who are killing us? 2/
Well, I don't consider those murderous monsters to be human. After Bucha, after Mariupol, after numerous war crimes, rape, and torture, I don't think they represent humanity. But, also, once I had a conversation with a soldier. She said that you can kill from love. 3/