Scandinavia and the War in Ukraine

When we did our Scandinavia Cruise we did multiple excursions in each of the countries we visited. Each excursion had one or more tour leaders. Obviously, since their jobs were in part given a historical perspective to the city, they were passionate about history and very knowledgeable. Several were teachers during the academic year.

Whenever I got a chance, which was most of the excursions, I asked the tour leader if he or she was worried if Ukraine lost its war with Russia if they they thought their country could be next. In each case, the guide said “absolutely“. Several described actions their country were now taking. Note, pretty sure if the tour guides know their country is taking precautions, the bad guys do also.

There is a Russian Consulate in Mariehamn which is capital of the Aland Islands. Out tour guide who was probably in her mid to late 70s, a retired teacher, was part of the group of locals who protested the war in Ukraine in front of the Consulate. She talked about if Ukraine falls, Finland could be next.

Every country we visited had a history of war. A history that goes back over a 1,000 years. Thousands of years actually, but that’s a different story. The wars were primarily fought for three reasons, power, land and economic resources. Most recently WWII, before that WWI, WWI the Franco-Prussian War in the late 1800s which was preceded by the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s. Every century before that a history of wars. So the idea that if Russia wins the war with Ukraine they will stop there is ludicrous to many Europeans. They know their history and Russian’s history of imperialism.

Take Poland for example. WWII begin with the invasion of Poland and when it ended, Poland was controlled by Russia. It took over 40 years for Poland to be independent again.

A survey done earlier this year by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) found that the majority of Europeans support Ukraine and its war against the Russian invasion. The same survey also found that a majority of those surveyed said Ukraine will lose. The main reason citied. If Trump and his supporters win the next election, the US will pull its support from Ukraine and the country will fall. I talked with a Norwegian banker who was enraged that the Republican Party could end funding for Ukraine. And yes, he knew the amount Norway was contributing to Ukraine.

The reality is many Republicans do support continued aid to Ukraine as they understand this is a line in the sand moment. However, Trump has made it clear he does not and if wins, he will pull support from Ukraine.

A vote for Trump or any of his supporters in the upcoming election is a vote against Ukrainian independence and sovereignty. If you do not agree, don’t tell it to me. Tell it to the people in European countries who may suffer if Russia wins in Ukraine and continues its aggression.

It is sad, unbelievable and literally scary, for myself, millions of other Americans and Europeans, that the Party of Eisenhower who led the Allies to victory in Europe in WWII is becoming the Party of Trump who is a friend to the Russian dictator Putin.