Simultaneously two things started scrolling on my feed yesterday. The dreadful but expected news of further victims found under the rubble in Ternopil, and the debate about what President Trump was really trying to achieve by offending Europe and pleasing Putin.
In reality we have to work on certainties and absolutes. There is no shortage of rhetoric coming from the White House, but what of substance has been achieved? I even read an article from a Russian blogger who suggests that one of the biggest risks to Russia's future now is that Trump is going too far in his own direction that his overstepping of hismelf makes his position unsustainable in the long term, and Russia might be losing a friend. Some political commentators are already saying the "mid-terms" may see a rapid change in direction of USA policy because of the disconect with a majority American public which has some sympathy for Ukraine. Add to that his inability to "simply end the war" in 24 hours. On the ground with USA friends I hear the same thing, a sense that results must follow rhetoric. Despite the promise, income tax will not disappear due to tariffs, and contrary to the spin UK cities are safer places to live in than American ones. The absolutes speak for themselves.
PROFIT, POWER OR PEOPLE ?
A number of military leaders of gravitas also noted that "The 2025 National Security Strategy" was in fact a political statement rather than a strategic / military document. Reasons of what had led to this shift cited the Trump team's deep suspicion of deep state, structure, and military officials. Rather than building policy on facts, figures, wisdom, knowledge and experienced practitioners on the military stage, the present administration is building a political case for what Trump wants for his America. Before we even consder whether it has the right people on the team to deliver it, the big question is... What really motivates the current White House ?
For sure a significant factor is potential profit and deals for the future. This is true to form in its leader. Natural resources and rare earths may look like a shiny prospect, but in reality before God ... the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, relational and moral. Loving profit over people is as depraved a trajectory as it gets, a downward spiral. There is no wisdom in loving money.
For a president standing on human / ideological/ moral principles and values there is a disconnect here. Should it be the defining role of a national leader to lead a nation in greed, at the expense of any compassion for the marginalised, immigrant and traumatised? Can I stand on a ticket to protect human life of the unborn and simmultaneously have not a smigin of compassion for the immigrant ? Are these the features of a leader after God's own heart that the churches will back ? What primarily motivates the Kremlin, is actually not too dissimilar. As Trump seeks awards and accolades to rewrite his own history, so does Putin. Both feel themselves detached from the battle, wealthy enough to be in a safe place. Gaining leadership status by promising people what you can't deliver will however not end well for either. With wealth comes pride, and pride comes before a fall. Believing that money and resources can make you invincibly powerful is an arrogance that fails to radar other dangers of vulnerability.
Psalm 73 :19
"how they are destroyed in a moment !
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors."
Pervading the last 1386 days of Putin's ("3 day") special military operation, is the consistent targeting of civilians and a desire to press human misery, a sadistic determination to make their winter harder. An increasing hatred and great disdain for the people he ironically would love to govern over does not make Putin's governance of Ukraine a reality anywhere other than in his own mind. Compassion does not figure, neither does a concept of human life mattering. With over 1000 Russians continuing to die each day, a calculator is repeatedly out to recruit more. This again is true to form. I remember Margaret Thatcher's speech about Putin's calculating and cold response to the Kursk Sub disaster of 2000. https://www.newsweek.com/margaret-thatcher-gave-damning-assessment-putin-resurfaced-clip-1772344. In Putin's mind, military power matters more than people, but both are running out faster than promised. The deciding factor will be how long it can be covered over before the pain of the population takes main stage. Pockets of protests continue to increasingly bubble.
25 years ago our former elderly prime minister was right. A humanitarian view of governance is not the lens Putin was ever looking through then or now, but a selfish ideology of self protection. True to his KGP training, he would rather take a pill (kill himself) than be found out or take responsibility/ face consequences personally. These are the stakes for him, and he will keep going regardless of cost to others. Double or quits is a daily choice as he goes deeper.
So where does that leave the families in Ternopil today and who is speaking up for them ? Praise God for the work of the churches and their leadership. I do hugely admire the determination of Zelenskyy. His motivations (and sensitivities) are markedly different to others on this stage. He is doing what he can for his people. Standing up to bullies takes courage. Doing what is right is painful. I much more admire the pastors and church members valuing the dignity of those on the ground, and serving them in Christlike love and self denial. What would truly make America great again would be chosing a leader with similar values.
No one can bring back those killed on Nov 19th. The true evaluation of where we are - is in lost human life, great sorrow, grief and trauma. Political ambitions are of absolutely no value or comfort to all who approach this by biblical values and standards or have been directly affected. To those close to the situation, a sense of justice is needed from leadership. If anything, such a tragedy means that the Ukrainian people are less likely to surrender any ground, the cost has already been too expensive. A veneer of manufactured peace does not cover over this.
Is peace achievable? A deal may be struck, but according to every serious current evaluation it would not stick. It would last long enough for a prize to be given out and the good optics, but the threat and real prospect of war will rumble on for many years unless invasion is seen to be the loser. Who's next for border realignment? Who will the imperial decide to plunder ? What will come first ... the end of underspending on European defence, the President's ability to do things without accountability in congress, or Putin's inner circle losing their allegiance? There are no magic bullets, no simple solutions, but many prospects of this scene substantially changing over time. For those living in the painful here and now, all they desire is compassionate leadership and those who will value human life. Someone who will protect people. Is that too much to ask ?
MICAH 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Psalm 73
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
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