‘We can all disagree about policies and politics, and the ways our governments might choose or not choose to help Ukraine. But we cannot, we must not, call the lie truth and the truth a lie,’ says Sharyn Borodina.
“The truth is still the truth even if no one believes it. A lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it.” Fly me to the Moon
As we approach the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, once again Ukraine is making headlines. American President Donald Trump has recently been quoted as calling Ukraine’s Zelensky a dictator, even going so far as blaming Ukraine for the war.
In response, in one of President Zelensky’s daily Instagram posts, he tells Trump, “You are living in this disinformation space of Russian Propaganda.”
Disinformation. Be sure it is a weapon of war used just as strategically as Shahed drones and Ballistic missiles. The enemy spins his tale hoping that after three years and 1094 days of war, a weary public will start to doubt the truth and believe the lie.
READ MORE: Holy Russia? Holy War?: Why the Russian Church is backing Putin against Ukraine
I first came to Ukraine as a 19-year-old on a mission for Jesus. The people of Ukraine stole my heart. I wanted to be part of their struggle forward. I signed up with no expiration date. Along the way, I married a Ukrainian man. We raised two beautiful Ukrainian/American daughters. We worked as family consultants helping couples learn the skills needed to thrive in marriage.
The people of Ukraine stole my heart. I wanted to be part of their struggle forward.
We planned to grow old in the region we called home. That is until Putin’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. That upheaval displaced us to the city of Ternopil in Western Ukraine. Eventually we found a new community, and partnering with them, we continued our mission of teaching families how to grow strong relationships. We built a house and dreamed of our children finishing their childhoods in it. Then on February 24, 2022, full scale war brought the unthinkable to the steps of our barely finished home. And once again, as with millions of other women and children, I left my husband behind, and together with our daughters we found safer ground in Poland and the USA to face what would come.
READ MORE: How to pray with your children for the war in Ukraine
I have a lot of grace when people ask me ill-informed questions about Ukraine, because I understand that people are searching for the truth.
“Is Zelensky a Nazi??
“No, actually he’s a Jew.”
“Doesn’t Ukraine persecute Christians?”
“No, Ukraine enjoys religious freedom.”
“Do the Ukrainian people want the war to end?”
“Of course they want the war to end. They’ve wanted the war to end since the first second it started.
“Of course they want the war to end. They’ve wanted the war to end since the first second it started. They have no choice but to fight because the enemy attacking is killing, destroying, and doing unthinkable things to their people.”
But never could I have imagined a scenario where I needed to explain the American President, who represents the land that champions liberty and freedom like no other, publicly say the things we have heard coming from Washington these past weeks.
We can all disagree about policies and politics, and the ways our governments might choose or not choose to help Ukraine. But we cannot, we must not, call the lie truth and the truth a lie.
READ MORE: In Ukraine families are torn apart, electricity is patchy and people are desperate for medicine - they need our support
Zelensky’s famous words, “I’m still here” might be the most profound statement we’ve heard in the 21st century. The Ukrainian president, with Kyiv surrounded and bombs blasting at the onset of Russia’s attack, sent out a video message. “I’m here, we’re here.” His bravery and determination inspired not only his fellow Ukrainians, he inspired the world.
Friends, Ukraine is still here. But for how much longer? Please, Pray for Ukraine and our world leaders during this critical time. I will end with the words of Volodymir Zelensky:
“The only reason there is time for discussions and debates today is because of our warriors. It is Ukrainian men and women who allow world politicians to hold microphones and wear suits, while they themselves are forced to hold weapons and wear military uniforms.
The West must finally realize the price Ukrainian people are paying for their present and start working toward a shared future. Make decisions faster, develop an action plan faster, and put pressure on Putin faster. Together – Europe, the United States, and Ukraine.
Otherwise, in the future, the language of all discussions will no longer be diplomacy and international law, but force and weapons. And the politicians will have to take off their suits and put on military uniforms. It’s time to act decisively and in unity.”
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