Why we should care

Why should we care? There's wars everywhere. I flinch at the question. I'm watching the webinar "Civil Society and Ukrainian Resilience" in comfort and safety while 6,000 miles away from the California foothills, the longest and deadliest land war in Europe since WWII rages on. My friend, Pene, sent me the link. Her son, Geoffrey Glenn, runs international service projects for Peace Corps Virtual Service and is a panel co-moderator. I met Geoff and his Ukrainian wife, Mila, via Zoom two years ago when researching "The Blue and the Gold," an article published in the Auburn Journal and The Union. Today, Ukraine no longer occupies the headlines – replaced by one domestic or international catastrophe after another. The webinar series has re-launched after a 15-month hiatus to remind the world about Ukraine and ignite a call to action. The webinar panel includes two people from Ukraine – Roman Oleksenko, a team leader for the nonprofit Ukrainian Action, and Olga Nikolska, who leads a major Ukrainian NGO – and a second American moderator, Sarah Wilson Sokhey. Sarah, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, welcomes everyone and opens with her standard question: "How are you doing, and how do you define victory for Ukraine?" Roman invites Olga to speak first. "I'm pretty much OK," she says, "comparing to other people suffering from Russian attacks near the front lines or in the frozen homes ..." And "victory"? "Each new day is a victory already; each new day when Ukraine still exists, still fights, still helps people, is a victory for me." I swallow the lump in my throat. "I agree with Olga," says Roman, "that every day is a gift." His definition of victory for Ukraine? "It has not changed from two years ago," he advises. He wants liberation of all occupied territory, return of POWs and kidnapped children, reparations by the Russian federation, top Russian leaders brought to justice, security guarantees whether with NATO or something else, and lasting peace on the continent. So how can one person help when their government refuses to do so? All agree they are preaching to the choir but, as Sarah offers, the choir can spread the word. Geoff adds that some large organizations in the US, supportive of Ukraine, were unaware of each other and are now connecting and coordinating. "Talk to groups that don't necessarily support Ukraine," suggests Roman. Be vocal. Use social media. "Lead them to understand this war affects us all. Not just Ukraine. Not just Europe. This affects the US very, very much. Work to influence those who make decisions." Sarah asks why it is still so bad in Ukraine. It seems obvious but deeply personal when answered by the two Ukrainians: "Russia continues to strike Ukraine every day. Not just Kyiv but western Ukraine … they are aiming close to the nuclear power plants," says Olga. The weather was another factor. "It's been the longest and coldest in 10 years," observes Roman, "We were told by the Russians that they were going to freeze us to death." But he paints a picture of resilience. Open cafés. Live shows and concerts even during rolling blackouts. High morale. Even the postal service doing incredible things for people with supplies and equipment to keep them going. "Only 10 days of winter left," he adds. "Signs of hope." Then Sarah asks that question: "Why should we care … there's war everywhere?" Olga states what most know, that Russia will not stop at Ukraine. That Ukraine has become a (world) leader in drone technology – the new face of warfare – and we should care, if only for our own self-interest. "You shouldn't care about Ukraine," Roman says. I leaned closer to my laptop. Did he say "shouldn't?" Roman speaks perfect English. "I don't want you to care," he continues, with no sarcasm in his voice. The war, he explains, is existential for Ukraine with its genocide and erasing of Ukrainian identity. "But," he reminds us, "Ukraine is buying time for the rest of the free world, and they needed to hurry up and beef up their own defenses." "Humanity" Olga says softly. "If humanity is still alive, you should care about people suffering everywhere." Geoff adds that caring is a personal value system. "I think about my kids, about kids all over the world growing up in horrible conditions." Ukrainians are examples, not just of survival but about helping each other. He encourages those watching that if they cannot help Ukraine, then help their local community. In February 2025, the U.S. President told Ukraine's President Zelenskyy he had no right to expect America's help because "you don't have any cards." This year, on March 15, in a conversation with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, President Zelenskyy ended by thanking the American people:"… you stay with us and we stay with you … we are helping (training Americans on drones), not because we are waiting for something from America's side … we want just to help … if we can help more, we will." Want to be added to the speaker series email list? Email Sarah Wilson Sokhey (sarah.sokhey@colorado.edu) Pauline Nevins is the author of the memoir "Fudge The Downs and Ups of a Biracial, Half-Irish British War Baby," two collections of personal essays: "Bonkers for Conkers" and "The Last House Before Spain." Pauline is also the recipient of a 2024 award from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She can be reached at paulinenevins.com.