Getting The Truth About Ukraine To Russians
What I watched: A message to the Russian people by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Posted March 17, 2022.
This post is a bit different than most of my posts, but it’s necessary.
Update: Since I posted this The Atlantic has published the text of the message should you prefer reading it.
Today this personal message from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Russian people went viral. Rightly so. It’s a powerful message to let the people of Russia know they are being lied to about the war in Ukraine. Schwarzenegger’s message is beautifully crafted to deliver to the Russian people the truth. He acknowledges that the Russian people are not to blame for this war. Putin and his inner circle of henchmen are to blame for this war.
The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me. That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine and what is happening there. No one likes to hear something critical of their government, I understand that, but as a longtime friend of the Russian people, I hope that you will hear what I have to say.
In our country, people were also lied to and on January 6th, 2021, we almost lost our democracy to a violent mob at the U.S. Capitol. Thankfully there were enough brave protectors of our democracy to ensure the January 6th insurrection did not succeed. The perpetrators of that attempted overthrow of our democracy are being brought to justice. I hope every single person who planned, funded, organized, incited, or participated in that insurrection is brought to justice and punished for what they did.
But now, the world is witnessing another more violent and horrific attempt at crushing a democracy, Putin’s genocidal war against the Ukrainian people. Putin wants to exterminate Ukrainians. That’s clear. He is another Hitler. His indiscriminate bombing of hospitals and homes is clear evidence of that. The war against Ukraine is a war waged by one evil man – Putin.
I’m not going to prattle on here. Hopefully you already know about the terrible war and the extreme suffering the Ukrainian people are enduring. Millions are fleeing their country. Thousands have already died. Brave Ukrainian soldiers and citizens have taken up arms to defend their country and democracy led by their remarkable President Zelensky.
My ask to you is that you share Schwarzenegger’s video widely. Perhaps it will be seen by a Russian who needs to hear the truth. If you have any means by which to send this video to someone in Russia or to Russians abroad who might have a way to deliver this message to family and friends still inside Russia, please do so.
Schwarzenegger also shared the video on Telegram, one of the few social media apps Russians can sometimes use as the Russian government restricts social media. Share this way too if you can.
President Biden, NATO, and all of the civilized countries of the world have stood unified against Putin’s heinous war. We must continue to encourage our leaders to deliver humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. This is a pivotal moment in time for the world.
Ukraine is not just a single democracy in peril. Ukraine is now symbolic of whether the world’s democracies will survive against the populist, nationalist, and authoritarian dangers posed by morally bankrupt people such as Putin.
If you want to help the Ukrainian people, there are a number of options I’ve listed here. Choose whatever resonates with you as a way to help.
Global Citizen: 28 Meaningful Ways You Can Help Ukraine
Washington Post: Here’s how Americans can donate to help people in Ukraine
NPR: Want to support the people in Ukraine? Here's how you can help
I do not believe Putin will win. The Ukrainian people have defied all predictions and shown they will not allow their country to be taken from them. The world is united against Putin and behind Ukraine. Let’s help the Ukrainian people keep their country.
You can use this link to access all my writings and social media and ways to support my work.