72. Welcome to the Stone Age

This morning, I received two pieces of news from abroad—one positive, one negative. To start with the good news: my readers may remember that one of my adopted daughters lives in Tel Aviv. She is doing well and is happy with her children and husband. Once the war ended, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief. 

Here's the bad news: I have three friends currently in Kyiv. One was in Poland, having left home after the war broke out, but she returned to Kyiv three weeks ago due to homesickness and to check on her apartment. The second is a teacher, and the third is a professor. 

The last two friends mentioned are currently going through a tough period. I haven't been in contact with the third one since she arrived in Kyiv.

A massive Russian drone and missile strike has wounded many people in Kyiv, plunging Ukraine’s capital into darkness early on Friday. The Ukrainian air force said the overnight Russian barrage comprised 465 drones and 32 missiles, and that its air defence systems downed 405 and 15 of them, respectively.

Yesterday’s Russian attack on the capital was the most severe to date, leaving the city without power, internet, gas, and water supply. This was an unprecedented event. 

This will be the fourth winter that leaves people without heating in freezing temperatures.

No one knows how long it will last, as the Ukrainian private energy company DTEK reported that its thermal power plants sustained significant damage in the attack.

This is the first time the Kremlin has escalated aerial attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities and rail systems. 

Although the teacher, a lively woman with two kids and a deceased husband, usually exudes energy, I was overwhelmed with sorrow upon seeing her today and couldn’t hold back tears. 

Her husband, a fighter pilot, died during the war. He is regarded as a hero because, despite having the chance to save himself, he chose to stay and save the town below instead of ejecting from his aircraft. Really a great guy.

She says, “'Welcome to the Stone Age,' as our lives changed drastically in a single day. The city is experiencing a complete blackout. Now, the most important task is to survive. My apartment is quite cold, and unfortunately, I don’t have a proper generator. Even my animals are now supporting each other and sitting quietly in a corner of the room, which wasn’t as likely before.”

She said, “At night, it's frightening to see lightning through the window and hear the piercing sound of missiles. Outside, on the road, the noise of generators is deafening as each house runs its own generator.” 

She has stocked potatoes, water, and other essential kitchen supplies for emergencies, but she forgot to buy candles. Fortunately, she has a torch and a small power bank, which she bought to send to her cousin at the front, to light a small tube. 

However, as the cold intensifies, it will become more challenging to get through each day.

I believe this war could have been resolved within a week if, from the start, the US and NATO had clearly stated that Ukraine would not be granted membership. 

However, that didn’t happen because Joe Biden had a score to settle with Russian President Putin. The Ukrainian president also played into their hands. 

Now, the countries have progressed so far that it seems difficult to bring either of them to the negotiation table.

Russia is a large and powerful nation. Ukraine cannot succeed even with the backing of the US and NATO member countries, which have their own interests. 

They will only push themselves to a certain limit and no further. If you read the making of World War II, especially beneath the surface and between the lines, my message will become clear.

Zelenskyy is requesting US weapons to launch strikes deep inside Russia, but it is unlikely that the US will approve these requests. We see that sanctions have not affected Russia much. 

I understand my friends in Ukraine may disagree with me and be upset by my suggestion, but we need to face reality: Ukraine should directly ask Russia to enter negotiations.

Only President Zelensky and Putin can achieve a solution; no one else is capable. No intervention by a third party will be successful. 

Some give and take doesn’t matter. That will make a difference, but only for a very short period of time. 

Life is short, whether you're born in Kyiv, Moscow, New York, or Kabul. 

Let the people enjoy it and live peacefully. 

The leading countries should do their utmost to prevent this war fervor. 

Enough is enough.